<p>Thiruvananthapuram: With the Congress in Kerala on a mission to regain its Christian vote bank, the new state leadership of the party is likely to make serious efforts to bring back its long time ally Kerala Congress (Mani) to the United Democratic Front (UDF).</p><p>After the KC(M), which is now headed by Rajya Sabha MP Jose K Mani, joined the CPM-led Left Democratic Front in 2019, there was considerable drop in votes for the Congress-led United Democratic Front in many Christian strongholds. KC(M) that was formed by former minister K M Mani has considerable influence among the Christian community, especially the high-range farmers.</p>.Kerala govt to pursue legal route to secure Rs 1,500 Cr withheld by Centre over PM SHRI issue.<p>Even though the Congress leadership dismissed reports of trying to appease any community with the recent revamp, the remarks of veteran leader A K Antony that Sunny Joseph, the new Kerala PCC president, is the "son of a high-range farmer" tells it all.</p><p>Already there were talks for bringing back KC(M) to the UDF camps. But a serious challenge in bringing back Jose K Mani to the UDF is finding a safe seat for him.</p><p>Pala in Kottayam, which had been represented by K M Mani continuously from 1965 till his death in 2019, is now held by Democratic Congress Kerala leader Mani C Kappan after Mani's death. Kappan, who is now with the UDF, even defeated Jose K Mani in Pala in the last assembly election. Kappan is not in favour of sparing the seat.</p><p>Sources said that there was strong resentment among a large section in the KC(M) in remaining in the Left-front, especially owing to the supremacy being exercised by the CPM in taking decisions. There is also unrest among the high range farmers over the frequent man-animal conflicts.</p><p>The fresh Congress leadership in Kerala comprising Sunny Joseph as well as UDF convenor Adoor Prakash are likely to make swift moves to bring back KC(M) to the UDF before the local body and assembly polls.</p><p>The KC(M) faction, led by Jose K Mani, left the UDF in 2020 and joined the LDF after the UDF leadership backed a faction led by former minister P J Joseph in the power struggle within KC(M) subsequent to K M Mani's death.</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: With the Congress in Kerala on a mission to regain its Christian vote bank, the new state leadership of the party is likely to make serious efforts to bring back its long time ally Kerala Congress (Mani) to the United Democratic Front (UDF).</p><p>After the KC(M), which is now headed by Rajya Sabha MP Jose K Mani, joined the CPM-led Left Democratic Front in 2019, there was considerable drop in votes for the Congress-led United Democratic Front in many Christian strongholds. KC(M) that was formed by former minister K M Mani has considerable influence among the Christian community, especially the high-range farmers.</p>.Kerala govt to pursue legal route to secure Rs 1,500 Cr withheld by Centre over PM SHRI issue.<p>Even though the Congress leadership dismissed reports of trying to appease any community with the recent revamp, the remarks of veteran leader A K Antony that Sunny Joseph, the new Kerala PCC president, is the "son of a high-range farmer" tells it all.</p><p>Already there were talks for bringing back KC(M) to the UDF camps. But a serious challenge in bringing back Jose K Mani to the UDF is finding a safe seat for him.</p><p>Pala in Kottayam, which had been represented by K M Mani continuously from 1965 till his death in 2019, is now held by Democratic Congress Kerala leader Mani C Kappan after Mani's death. Kappan, who is now with the UDF, even defeated Jose K Mani in Pala in the last assembly election. Kappan is not in favour of sparing the seat.</p><p>Sources said that there was strong resentment among a large section in the KC(M) in remaining in the Left-front, especially owing to the supremacy being exercised by the CPM in taking decisions. There is also unrest among the high range farmers over the frequent man-animal conflicts.</p><p>The fresh Congress leadership in Kerala comprising Sunny Joseph as well as UDF convenor Adoor Prakash are likely to make swift moves to bring back KC(M) to the UDF before the local body and assembly polls.</p><p>The KC(M) faction, led by Jose K Mani, left the UDF in 2020 and joined the LDF after the UDF leadership backed a faction led by former minister P J Joseph in the power struggle within KC(M) subsequent to K M Mani's death.</p>