Kottayam (Kerala): Congress(M) Chairman and LDF candidate, Jose K Mani, on Monday, told the media that his party is of the same opinion as that of the LDF regarding the Love Jihad issue.
The 'Love Jihad' issue, which was put on the backburner by the CPI(M)-led LDF and UDF headed Congress during the campaign for the April 6 assembly polls, has reared its head in poll-bound Kerala, with a leader of the ruling Left constituent saying the matter should be addressed if the public has any apprehensions about it.
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The statement of Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani kicked up a storm with the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) throwing its weight behind the leader, claiming that Love Jihad is a reality in the state.
It was on Sunday that Mani, who is contesting as the LDF candidate from the Christian dominated Pala Assembly constituency, raked up the issue in a TV programme on Assembly elections.
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Responding to a question on "Love Jihad", Mani said "such an issue has come into the fore.. it should be examined. If there is something in that issue, that should be addressed. If again apprehensions are among the public about it, that should be studied with clarity."
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The statement of Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani kicked up a storm with the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) throwing its weight behind the leader, claiming 'Love Jihad' is a reality in the state. However, Mani, whose party's support base is largely Syrian Catholic voters of Middle Kerala backtracked on Monday, apparently sensing that it did not go down well with other constituents of the LDF including the CPI and CPI(M).
On the contrary, the CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran rejected the stance of Jose K Mani, saying that it was Kerala Congress (M)'s stand.
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Asked for his reaction to Mani's remarks, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in Kannur he did not notice any such statements from the Kerala Congress leader. Pressed further, Vijayan said, "you should ask him about it."
(With inputs from PTI)
