UDF keeps door open for KC-M

Apparently jitteryover the exit of key partner Kerala Congress(M), Congress-led UDF here today said it believes that KC-M would reconsider its decision to severe its over three decade-old ties with the Front.
A meeting of UDF leaders, held after the KC-M led by former Finance Minister K M Mani quit the Front on Sunday, took stock of the political situation and termed the development as "painful".
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Opposition leader and Front Chairman Ramesh Chennithala, however, said the Front was not officially asking the KC-M to come back to its fold, but believes that it would reconsider its decision.

UDF is also of the opinion that KC-M should remain in the Front, he said.
UDF still did not consider that KC-M has left the Front as there was no justification for severing the 34-year-old association, Chennithala said.
Indicating that the Front was not for any confrontation with its former partner, Chennithala said "the Front also agrees with the decision of KC-M to continue the status quo in civic bodies."

Asked whether Congress, being the lead partner would take initiative for talks for patch up, Chennithala said dialogue can be held only "if both parties agree to it. Congress will not hesitate if such a situation arises," he added.

Chennithala maintained that there was no reasons to end the relationship and said it was due to some misunderstanding.
Giving a jolt to the UDF already reeling under the impact of assembly poll debacle, KC-M snapped ties with UDF citing "humiliation" and "insult" meted out by Congress.
KC-M, the third largest partner in UDF after Congress and IUML, also decided to function as a separate bloc in the assembly. It has six MLAs in the present assembly.
Chennithala said UDF resolved to take steps to strengthen the Front.
As part of the initiatives, Congress would hold bilateral talks with other partners-- IUML, JD(U), RSP, KC-J and CMP next week.

Reacting to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remark that UDF was on the path of disintegration after the exit of KC-M, Chennithala said it was only a "dream of CPI-M leader."
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Chennithala termed as a big success the agitation
organised by UDF in front of the secretariat against the government policies.
He also said UDF had decided to intensify its stir against the LDF government.
UDF activists would stage dharna before all the 14 district collectorates.
Meanwhile, hundreds of UDF workers including MLAs took part at the sit-in in front of the Secretariat here in protest against the government's "failure" to check spurt in prices of essential commodities. They alleged that law and order was deteriorating in the state.