Thiruvananthapuram: K.M. Mani may have done a volte face on the Kottayam issue branding the local level tie up with Marxists as “unfortunate”, but that has not deterred CPM leadership from exploring similar possibilities to weaken the UDF in different parts of the state.

Considering the grand plans of Narendra Modi–Amit Shah combine to expand NDA in weak states like Kerala ahead of Lok Sabha polls in 2019, the CPM central leadership also believes that there is no need to push K M Mani to the BJP fold. The NDA which had made attempts to woo Mani soon after its Charalkunnu camp in which Kerala Congress (M) snapped ties with the UDF, has not lost hope yet.

The central leadership is aware of the advantage and image makeover that BJP led NDA might get should Mani have an understanding with the saffron brigade. Both Modi and Shah are known for symbolism and playing to the gallery. It is a foregone conclusion that a tie-up with a Christian dominated party like KC(M) will be marketed effectively across the country.

CPM leaders are of the view that in such a scenario BJP will not only gain electorally in the state but also succeed to an extent to portray itself as a party which is not averse to minorities especially in wake of its current Hindutva overdrive.

It is in this context that the CPM is keeping all its options open publicly though it has clarified that a tie up with Kerala Congress was not under consideration at this stage.

A dominant section in CPM is also not quite keen on harping on the corruption allegations against Mani. Instead it wants to take a more pragmatic double edged political stand of weakening the UDF on the one hand and preventing the NDA from making any gains in the state on the other.

But the big question is will the CPM succeed in taking CPI on board and convince the people who had given a massive mandate to them against corruption just a year ago ?