Overview
- Jose K. Mani rejected talk of a return to the UDF, saying the Kerala Congress (M) remains committed to the Left Democratic Front and is "happy" in the alliance.
- He explained his absence from recent LDF events as a Dubai visit to see a critically ill family friend and noted all five KC(M) MLAs joined the Thiruvananthapuram protest.
- The Kerala cabinet approved leasing 25 cents at Kowdiar in Thiruvananthapuram for 30 years to the K. M. Mani Foundation to establish a memorial institute.
- Leaders from both camps said no formal talks are underway on KC(M) switching fronts, with UDF convenor Adoor Prakash and CPI leader Binoy Viswam underscoring the point.
- Party deliberations on January 16 follow KC(M)'s setbacks in the 2025 local body polls, including losing influence in Pala, which has fueled external speculation about strategy.