Saji Cherian's tongue puts Mani group in trouble

KOTTAYAM: The Kerala Congress Mani Group, a constituent party of the Left Front, has come stress with minister Saji Cherian's controversial statement insulting Christian bishops. Minister Saji Cherian's slip of the tongue while the argument remaining that the leadership did not react strongly against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who insulted Thomas Chazhikadan MP in Pala during the Nava Kerala Sadas have ignited the anger of the ranks.

Even though Minister Roshy Augustine responded that Saji Cherian's controversial statement was not the government's position, Joseph Section Executive Chairman Mons Joseph demanded that Chairman Jose K. Mani clarify his position. Later, Jose responded that Saji Cherian's statement was not a Left Front stand and the issue ended after the Minister corrected the statement, but the leadership is confused as to whether this will satisfy the party ranks.

Christian votes are crucial in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam districts, which are Mani Group's strongholds. CPM state secretary MV Govindan held a press conference rejecting Saji Cherian following which the minister expressed regret for using the 'cake and wine' expression after the Mani group expressed their displeasure to the CPM leadership after the editorial criticizing Saji Cherian appeared in the mouthpiece of the Catholic Church, a top party leader said. When the Chief Minister criticized Chazhikadan on the platform, PM Mathew, a member of the party high power committee and former MLA, came forward and accused that if KM Mani was alive, this would not have happened.