KPCC President Sunny Joseph Denies Discussions on Kerala Congress (M) Return
KPCC president Sunny Joseph made a clear statement on Thursday. He said no discussions were held about bringing the Kerala Congress (M) back into the United Democratic Front (UDF). The Congress party did not contact them regarding this matter.
UDF's Growing Grassroots Support
Joseph emphasized that the UDF coalition's grassroots support is increasing steadily. More people are joining the front every day. He mentioned that individuals like Aisha Potty are coming forward to support the alliance.
The Kerala Congress steering committee is scheduled to meet on January 16. However, Joseph confirmed there were no informal discussions with the Kerala Congress. It remains unknown whether leaders from constituent parties were contacted.
Response on Kerala Congress's Importance
When asked if the Kerala Congress is essential for the UDF's victory in upcoming elections, Joseph gave a measured response. He said the UDF meeting would discuss this issue thoroughly. The party leadership will consider all factors before making any decisions.
AICC General Secretary Dismisses Rumors
Meanwhile, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal addressed recent media reports. He stated that stories about the UDF's expansion were mere rumors. The front is not being overconfident about its prospects.
Venugopal clarified that the Kerala Congress has not expressed any interest in joining the UDF. No discussions were held with anyone from the party. He acknowledged that Kerala Congress (M) has a heritage with the UDF. If they express a desire to return, discussions will certainly take place.
Political Landscape Shifting Toward UDF
Venugopal observed that Kerala is leaning toward the UDF with each passing day. There is a favourable situation for winning with a large majority. However, he cautioned against overconfidence. The belief within the party is that it will be a tough battle moving forward.
Ramesh Chennithala Sets Conditions for Talks
Former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala offered his perspective on the matter. He noted that Jose K Mani's party is currently part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF). They have made their position clear.
Chennithala said discussions become relevant only when a party leaves or expresses interest in leaving its current front. Trying to bring a party from within an alliance to another side is not the right approach. Otherwise, they should express their interest clearly. Until then, he questioned the relevance of any discussion.
Confidence in UDF's Electoral Prospects
Chennithala expressed strong confidence in the UDF's electoral prospects. He pointed to significant victories in both panchayat and Parliament elections. It is well known that in the upcoming assembly elections, the UDF will come to power by winning more than 100 seats. There is no doubt about this outcome.
The people of Kerala are thinking favourably about the UDF, according to Chennithala. The public desires a change in governance. He concluded that only one person who does not understand this reality is the chief minister of Kerala.
