Pushing 82, Mr. Mani, popular as Mani aashan, was billed to contest from Udumbanchola, which has been represented by him for the last two terms, but the Left Democratic Front (LDF) brought back K.K. Jayachandran, who represented it from 2001 to 2016, to retain the seat. Mr. Mani predicts a resounding third consecutive term for the LDF in the Assembly with over 100 seats. As for the Idukki district, he says the Left will improve its tally from the present four to all five.
He is happy and contented that he has been able to live up to the roles assigned to him by the party from time to time. “I served as an MLA for 10 years and a Minister for five. I have no desire to contest again; Ten years is more than enough. As Electricity Minister, I was able to implement 100% electrification in Kerala. We even brought power to Edamalakkudy, the State’s first tribal panchayat, an arduous task that required laying cables to a very remote settlement. I am happy to retire with my pension,” he told The Hindu in an interview.
In this election, several rebel CPI(M) leaders are contesting against the party. In Devikulam, S. Rajendran is contesting as a BJP candidate, and former minister G. Sudhakaran is contesting as a Congress-supported independent. How do you view this?
The CPI(M) gave S. Rajendran every opportunity. The party made him MLA thrice after he was made the District Panchayat President. Despite this, he demanded another term, which the party denied. We were aware that he would lose another term. What he is doing now smacks of ingratitude and maleficence.
S. Rajendran claims that Tamil-speaking leaders are being sidelined within the CPI(M). Is there any truth in this?
Unethical and false. To represent the Tamil population in Munnar, our party has regularly fielded Tamil candidates for key posts. Several late Tamil stalwarts, such as Sundaramanickam and V. Varadan, held high positions in the party. The reality is that in the Devikulam constituency, Malayalis, not Tamils, make up the majority of voters. Rajendran is simply levelling baseless allegations.
Another senior leader, G. Sudhakaran, is contesting as an independent in Ambalapuzha. What is your take on his move?
I view G. Sudhakaran’s move as an act of extreme arrogance and betrayal. The party bestowed every possible position upon him over the decades.
You have travelled to the five constituencies in Idukki district for campaigning. What is the sense that you are getting from the ground?
The LDF will retain its four existing seats: Peerumade, Udumbanchola, Devikulam, and Idukki. We are also aiming to win Thodupuzha. I never saw P.J. Joseph in the Assembly during his tenure; he was fighting poor health, but he has now handed over the seat to his son. If the voters of Thodupuzha are sensible, they will not allow his son to win.
Increasing wild animal attacks is a major concern in Idukki. Has the govt done enough to address this issue?
I would say human safety must come first. Human life must take precedence over all else. If the interventions of the Forest, Revenue, and Police departments fail, then wild animals posing a deadly threat to humans should be shot and killed without hesitation.
Is the LDF likely to secure a third consecutive term?
The LDF will retain power with over 100 seats, while the BJP will score a zero. The Congress has lost its credibility, essentially allowing the BJP to dominate the country. The LDF is the only viable option for the people of Kerala. The narrative that minority communities are turning against the Left is nothing more than “false propaganda” driven by certain media outlets.
You are very active on social media, with your ‘thug’ repartees often going viral. Who handles your account?
I have no PR team. I only have one assistant who has been with me for 10 years. My posts come directly from my own observations. I watch the issues keenly and intervene on social media personally. I don’t need a PR team to do that.
