Mani had received due consideration in UDF: Chennithala

Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala Monday said the Kerala Congress-M had received due consideration in the United Democratic Front.

Talking to reporters, Chennithala said the reasons that Mani gave for leaving the alliance do not hold water.

"He was with us for 34 years and the Congress had always held him and his party in high esteem, and even at his time of crisis in the bar scam, it was me as Home and Vigilance Minister -- after a quick verification done by the Vigilance Department -- who gave him a clean chit on two occasions in the bar scam. We honestly do not know why he left us," said Chennithala.

"His decision came after he agreed to be with the UDF protest to be held against the state government on Wednesday," added Chennithala.

"I do not know why he has a grouse against me, as I have been close to him since I became a cabinet colleague in 1987. I personally do not have anything against him, even though his party organ of late has been attacking me," said Chennithala, who pointed out that Mani leaving the UDF is no personal setback to him.

"We are not going to open any dialogue with him as we feel that we have done no wrong to him and moreover the reasons he gave for leaving us have no merit," he said.