The Congress-led UDF on Tuesday heaved a sigh of relief as 'estranged' former ally Kerala Congress-Mani announced support to Congress candidate in the May 28 Chengannur Assembly by-election.
"Our party decided to support the UDF candidate. We will make our stand clear at a public meeting at Chenagnnur on Thursday. The decision to support the UDF is for the bypoll only and to protest anti-farmer policy of the Pinarayi Vijayan government," party supremo K.M. Mani told the media here.
Mani's decision came after former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, state Congress President M.M. Hassan, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala and P.K. Kunhalikutty, the Lok Sabha member of Indian Union Muslim League, held a meeting with Mani at his residence on Monday.