Kerala: The Congress led United Democratic Front(UDF) split in Kerala as the former Finance Minister and Kerala Congress Chief, KM Mani parted ways with the UDF on Sunday. Mani was upset that the Congress party didn't back him in alleged bar bribery scam. He also made clear that he will sit in the opposition and won't be joining hands with the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Mani, in the past few days remained absent in the UDF meetings and differences within the alliance were brewing for some time now. Mani has been an ally of United democratic Front alliance since 1982 and finally snapped ties after being sidelined by the Congress party over allegations in bar bribery scam leveled against him.
He said his party was not aligning with the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"We will sit as a separate block in the Kerala assembly and in parliament where we have two members. We will extend our support based on issues," he added. Mani said his party won't create "a crisis in governance" in local bodies.
For the past two days, the leadership of the Kerala Congress (Mani) was involved in internal discussions over its future with the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Even after the Kerala Congress broke up, Mani had remained with the Congress. Mani has been a legislator since 1967 and has presented 13 state budgets. With his departure, the UDF's strength in the 140-member house will slide from 47 to 41.
Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy described Mani's decision as "painful".
Mani and his party were disappointed especially after the way things turned out in Bar Bribery Scam and allegations were leveled against them. In a Press conference Mani had also stated that there was no political respect that one expects in an alliance and hinted that a section within the Congress party was vigorously working against him and his party.
(With Inputs From IANS)
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