V S Achuthanandan, S Ramachandran Pillai play down offer to Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With PB member S Ramachandran Pillai and leader of the opposition V S Achuthanandan toning down their voices, speculation about the expansion of the LDF has subsided a little. Discussions in political circles about Kerala Congress (M) moving out of the UDF and joining the LDF were triggered by the recent statements of these two leaders.
Addressing a news conference in Aluva on Wednesday, SRP said the expansion of the LDF was not in the agenda of the CPM. On Tuesday, CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan also said the same in Kottayam.
Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said here that his invite to Mani the other day was in response to questions by journalists. "I have'nt commented based on any decision. It was journalists who told me that Mani would like to join the LDF. I did not suspect them and replied that I happily welcomed him to the Front," VS clarified.
PJ Joseph, the second in command in the KC(M), also ruled out any discussions within his party on leaving the UDF. Joseph told reporters in New Delhi that Mani might have expressed his theoretical views the other day. However, UDF leader R Balakrishna Pillai expressed doubt over the motives of Mani and said VS was trying to become the chief minister again with the help of Mani.