'Marriage' of CPI-M & Jose K. Mani, proves anything is possible in politics

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 16 The new found alliance between once arch rivals CPI-M and Jose K. Mani proves that anybody can be 'bedbuddies' if it serves the purpose in politics.

This new 'political' marriage, was on the cards ever since Jose (son of late K.M. Mani, one of the founders of the Congress led United Democratic Front) who leads the faction of the erstwhile Kerala Congress (Mani), was cut up with party veteran and senior legislator P.J.Joseph. Jose decided to part ways with the UDF, a few months back.

The once united KC (M) for all practical purposes was behaving like two different entities after the passing away of Mani, last year.

The Congress party which leads the UDF gave numerous chances to Jose to mend his ways and to behave like a responsible ally, but sensing that, his position in the UDF would be untenable, he breached the line, forcing the Congress to kick Jose out.

With two crucial polls local body and assembly elections on the cards, and overall image of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, taking ahit like never before on account of numerous scams and scandals, the CPI-M which leads the Left coalition (LDF) extended an olive branch to Jose.

The two arch-rivals forgot the brutal past during K.M.Mani's time, and somersaulted to make the unlikely marriage a reality.

Leader of Opposition and veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala described this as an 'unholy' alliance of convenience and not one made with conviction.

"Jose has betrayed his father and Mani's soul will never forgive him for this act. It's deeply distressing to note that Jose has joined the tormentors of his father, who called Mani, a liar and a looter," said Chennithala.

Two time former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said this is a classic act of son betraying father.

"This will go down as the most unfortunate political decision as Jose has aligned with his father's tormentors. Had Mani Sir been alive, such a thing would never have taken place," said Chandy.

Incidentally this somersault comes at a time, when the social media is flooded with trolls, mostly on what leaders like Vijayan, State CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had said when they were leading campaigns against Mani, asking for him to step down in 2015 after the bar scam broke out.

A classic stunner moment came when Vijayan, who for the past nearly three decades had been attacking K.M.Mani and baying for his blood, said that Jose has taken the correct decision at the correct time.

"There is no impropriety in what they and we have done. Mani himself has said a few times it was the Congress which had stabbed them in their back. There are no ideologically difference for cooperation also and it must also not be forgotten that there are factions of the Kerala Congress already with them," said Vijayan.

Jose, on Friday morning landed up at the state party headquarters of the CPI- the second biggest ally of the Left, and also one of the strongest critic of K.M.Mani and his politics.

Jose is scheduled to meet State CPI Secretary Kanam Rajendran, who will later sit with Balakrishnan to work out the nitty gritties of Jose's entry into the Left Democratic Front.

The first banner of revolt has also surfaced from Mani's family with Jose's brother-in-law, M.P.Joseph, a former IAS official saying he will have no qualms to fight the elections on a Congress ticket against Jose, if the party asks. Clearly indicating that all's not well in the family, following the political move.

In fact, Jose's LDF move has caused a good number of the first and second line leaders in the party to crossed over to the P.J.Joseph faction. The coming days will reveal, if Jose will be able to stop the leakages at the grassroots and if he fails, it will be the Congress having the last laugh.

( With inputs from IANS )