What he left unsaid was that its strategy to fight the IUML in its stronghold of Ponnani includes enlisting the support of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), formed by Abdul Nasser Madani, who was charged in the 1998 Coimbatore serial blast cases but later acquitted. The CPI(M) even wanted a PDP-backed Independent to contest from Ponnani, ignoring CPI protests. A final decision on this seat will be taken tomorrow.

Though Madani claims to have turned a “moderate”, probe into Kerala’s terror links with Kashmir, which began after four suspected militants from the state were killed in Kupwara last October, has revealed that many key players in the network had close links with his family or were his followers.

However, that hasn’t come in the way of the CPI(M) backing the PDP’s choice of Dr Hussain Randathani for Ponnani. Even as the CPI revolted, the CPI(M) stood by the PDP. Madani even threatened to field his candidates if Randathani was not given chance.

Meanwhile, there have been fresh revelations of Madani’s alleged terror links. One of the witnesses to depose in a Kerala court recently, Mani alias Yoosaf, said the Madani family had links with Tadiyantavide Nazeer and Sainudheen alias Sathar Bhai, two top figures in the country’s terror web.

Sainudheen is alleged to be a close aide of most-wanted Riyaz Bhatkal.

Mani told court he came in contact with Madani in Coimbatore jail, where the PDP leader was also lodged during his trial, and embraced Islam at his urging. He adopted the name Yoosaf after conversion.

On his release, Mani worked at a shop run by Madani’s wife Soofiya in Kochi. He said Sainudheen, who was then staying in Hyderabad, was a frequent visitor to Madani’s house and his daughter Fazila stayed with the Madanis.

Mani claimed to have attended indoctrination camps in Kannur and Hyderabad, along with the four suspected LeT militants from Kerala who were later killed. Mani said while he too was to go to Kashmir, he developed cold feet on hearing about the deaths of the men.

In her deposition, his wife said Madani and Soofiya were like parents for them.