THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister M M Mani came down heavily on Mani C Kappan who severed ties with A K Saseendran faction. He criticised Kappan for his decision to join the UDF. He said that even if Kappan leaves the LDF nothing will happen. He also said that Kappan won in Pala with the help of the CPM.

Kappan is a leader who has no people’s support and the CPI (M) helped his win in Pala with great difficulty. Each time he loses, he used to go behind the film fraternity.

Kappan and the CPM have been at loggerheads since Kerala Congress Jose faction joined the Left Front. Kappan is joining the UDF irked by the decision of giving the Pala seat to Jose K Mani. However, Saseendran faction of the NCP has decided to stay with the LDF. The decision of the NCP central leadership on this issue has not yet come. Both factions of the party are of the belief that the national leadership will take a stand in favour of them. There are speculations that Mani C Kappan will take part in the Aishwarya Kerala Yatra led by the opposition leader when it enters Kottayam.