MM Mani apologises for controversial remarks over Kerala local body election results

Idukki (Kerala): Following the Communist Party’s heavy setback in Kerala’s local body elections, CPM MLA M M Mani has retracted his controversial remarks against voters, describing them as “emotional” comments made in the heat of the moment.

Mani clarified that while he cannot agree with the verdict given by Kerala’s electorate, he fully accepts the party leadership’s criticism. “I accept what the party leadership said 100 per cent. I should not have reacted in that way,” he said.

The remarks, which drew widespread criticism, came after Mani alleged that voters who had received welfare pensions and other benefits had shown ingratitude by voting against the Left. He had described the situation as if people, “after taking pensions of good rates and eating properly, it feels like they have nicely turned against us”, prompting backlash from the party and the public.

Party general secretary M A Baby and CPM leadership had rejected Mani’s initial comments. Mani said he acknowledges their stand and reaffirmed, “ It was an emotional statement and was made in the heat of the moment and does not reflect my official position.”

Despite the apology, Mani maintained that he personally disagrees with the election verdict but said he would abide by the party’s stance.