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K M Mani Interview: There is no political untouchability, can tie up with BJP also

  • “I won't say that demonetization was wrong. It was effective in checking black money"
  • “If the BJP decides to go secular, we will have no problem." 
BJP not untouchable Kerala Congress leader hints at future tie up with BJP

 

Giving more credence to the speculations that Kerala Congress (M), a prominent Kerala party with a predominantly Christian support base led by former Kerala Finance Minister KM Mani, might ally with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in future, the veteran leader stated that BJP is not untouchable. 

 

"We are open to all," said the veteran Kerala Congress leader, who turned 84 the other day. His party would support good policies of the BJP government at the centre, Mani added. 

 

“There is no political untouchability. We need not erect a Berlin wall (among parties),” Mani told Asianet News when asked about the possibility of a tie-up with BJP in future. 

 

"BJP is doing good things. They are also doing things that are disliked by people. We will oppose their anti-people policies," Mani said.  The former Kerala Finance Minister, who presented the maximum number of budgets in Kerala Assembly, also supported Narendra Modi’s demonetization of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 currencies. 
 

Related: Who will marry Kerala Congress next?
 

“I won't say that demonetization was wrong. It was effective in checking black money. But the policy was implemented without enough preparation,” Mani explained. The intention of the demonetization was good. But it turned out to be a big trouble for the public, thanks to the lack of preparation, he added. 
 

Also read: Kerala Congress (M) to keep equal distance from UDF, LDF
 

 How can Kerala Congress join hands with BJP, which is known as a communal party? 

 

“If the BJP decides to go secular, we will have no problem. I won’t say that the BJP won't change their stand in future. If they take a political position rooted in secularism, then we’ll think of it. We are open to all. ” The Kerala Congress leader said that his party will not compromise on secularism and democracy. 


 
Will the Kerala Congress go it alone in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections? 

 

Elections are different as they are fought as per an election policy. When the election comes, parties look for good partners and will join hands with likeminded parties, he said ealier in the long chat with Asianet News. 
 

Also read: BJP woes Kerala Congress M
 

BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan had disclosed in July last year that BJP national executive had held informal discussions with Kerala Congress (M) before Assembly elections. The BJP had also invited Mani to join the NDA. 

 

Kerala Congress, a long time ally of the Congress in  Kerala, severed its ties with the United Democratic Alliance led by the national party in August last year. The party MLAs also decided to sit as a separate block in the Kerala Assembly. 

 

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