Mani slams CPI, says not seeking to enter LDF

Kottayam (Kerala), Aug 25  Kerala Congress (Mani) supremo K.M. Mani on Thursday slammed the Communist Party of India and made it clear that his party is not seeking to join the ruling Left Democratic Front.

"Look, we have no clue why the CPI is getting restless, and let me make it very very clear, we are not seeking an entry into the Left Democratic Front at all," Mani told reporters at his home near here.

On Wednesday, the CPI at a meeting of its top brass had categorically ruled out Mani having any place in the LDF.

The CPI has time and again come out in the open against speculation in the media that Mani, after leaving the Congress-led UDF early this month, would be given entry to the LDF. However, a section of the CPI-M-led by its state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has dropped enough hints, including in an article in the party organ, that Mani can be considered.

"We do not wish to learn political morals from the CPI, which is a party that sold its Parliament seat for cash. We are competent enough to remain on our own," added Mani.

The CPI is the second biggest party in the LDF led by the CPI-M.

Mani was a founding member of the Congress-led United Democratic Front in 1982.