Kottayam: NCP leader Mani C. Kappan said that he is waiting for the decision of the party national leadership. The MLA added that he would leave LDF no matter what the decision.

Kappan was speaking to mediapersons in Pala on Saturday after returning from Delhi.

“I have informed Sharad Pawar that I will welcome Ramesh Chennithala’s ‘Aishwarya Kerala Yathra’ in Pala tomorrow and will attend the meeting afterwards. Pawar understands my stance,” said Mani C. Kappan.

The MLA added that he was asked to contest in Kuttanad and revealed why it was difficult for him to do so. 

“It is difficult for me to contest in Kuttanad. I have a personal connection with Thomas Chandy. He had helped me even financially during the election in Pala. Thomas Chandy's wife and children had asked the party national president and Chief Minister seeking to name his younger brother as the candidate. After Thomas Chandy’s brother was decided for the seat that the party asked me to contest in Kuttanad. So I decided not to contest from Kuttanad,” explained Mani C. Kappan.

For the moment I have decided not to resign. Jose K. Mani had taken 4 months to resign so I can take at least 3 months, said Kappan.

“Pala used to be a seat that nobody wanted. A constituency where CPI and CPI (M) candidates used to lose for 25,000 votes. After I contested in Pala in 2006, the majority was cut down to 7,500 votes. In the following election the majority was further reduced to just 5,000 votes. It must be remembered that I was contesting against a very prominent leader in K. M. Mani. My victory was the result of honest LDF workers,” said Kappan.

Responding to A. K. Saseendran questioning his morality, Mani C. Kappan said that his morality was limited.

The MLA added that a decision on the party symbol will be reached today. Stating that the national leadership is yet to make the decision, Mani C. Kappan clarified that he would leave LDF no matter what the NCP national leadership decides.