A significant steering committee gathering of the Kerala Congress(Mani) under the leadership of Rajya Sabha MP Jose K. Mani is scheduled in Kottayam on Friday. The party, established in 1964, is known for its history of divisions and mergers, often described as “grows as it splits and splits as it grows.”
Today, the party consists of six factions aligned with Kerala’s two main political coalitions—the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). Despite these divisions, the party holds nine legislators, underscoring its continued relevance in coalition politics.
The upcoming meeting in Kottayam gains significance amidst speculation about the Jose K. Mani-led faction’s potential reconsideration of its position within the LDF ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. While Jose Mani has affirmed the faction’s commitment to the Left, there are doubts within political circles, citing internal unrest within the party.
Some party members fear that sticking with a weakened Left Front could marginalize the party, especially if the Front faces electoral setbacks. The prolonged indecision by Jose Mani has prompted the Congress leadership to adopt a more assertive stance in alliance-building efforts.
CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam expressed trust in Jose Mani’s public assurance of staying with the Left Front. However, historical trends show that Kerala Congress factions have switched political allegiances based on power dynamics rather than ideological consistency. The Kottayam meeting is anticipated not for major announcements but for subtle indications, highlighting the primacy of survival and power in Kerala’s coalition politics.
