No crisis in UDF warranting leadership change: KM Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid speculation that Kerala Congress(M), third largest partner in ruling UDF, would leave it and join opposition LDF and he could be a possible chief ministerial candidate, party leader K M Mani has said there is no crisis in the front warranting a leadership change.

"KC-M is a partner of UDF, which is moving forward with clear policies. We have not asked for leadership change in UDF and there is no crisis in government warranting a leadership change. I do not wish to be Chief Minister in a devious way," Finance Minister Mani said.

He was responding to CPI-M politburo member S Ramachandran Pillai's statement that the party would re-examine their earlier stand of taking a decision not to topple the UDF government in the wake of the solar scam rocking the state for the last one month and would take a decision if such political circumstances arise and Mani's name is proposed for CM's post.

Chandy has been under attack from CPI(M)-led LDF over the scam, which pertains to cheating of several persons of huge sums by accused Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan offering them solar energy business deals. They had allegedly flaunted their "influence" with some persons in the CM's office.

The Congress central leadership has, however, ruled out replacement of Oommen Chandy as Chief Minister.