Kerala - Alappuzha   

LDF losing its confidence: Chennithala

Staff Reporter

`Decision to strike local-level alliance proved its diffidence'

ALAPPUZHA: The decision of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to go in for local-level alliances with the National Congress (Indira) and other parties in the local body elections is a proof of its eroding confidence, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala said here on Monday.

At a press conference at Ramankary, on the route taken by the Chaitanya Yatra being led by him, Mr. Chennithala said the LDF was in deep trouble now, though it had recorded victories in the previous Lok Sabha elections and Assembly bypolls.

The statement of its convener Paloli Mohammed Kutty that the front would try to avoid three-cornered contests resulted from its apprehensions. Of late, its strategies were failing because of its inherent contradictions, he added.

According to Mr Chennithala, the former Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, who left the Congress and floated the NC(I) a few months ago, would meet a political fate similar to that of Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait, who left the India Union Muslim League and formed his own outfit.

Charge against CPI(M)

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), the largest constituent of the LDF, had ditched the NC(I) after making some promises.

Mr. Chennithala said though he would welcome back the Congress workers who left the party, MLAs who resigned would not be taken back immediately. They had subverted the verdict of the people.

He alleged that the CPI(M) was trying to suffocate small constituents of the LDF. It should clarify if these constituents would be allowed to take in the leaders R. Balakrishna Pillai, MLA, and P.C. Thomas, MP.

He said the Chaitanya Yatra was receiving a good welcome everywhere, and the Congress would rise from defeat to win the local body elections.

The yatra would enter Kollam district on Tuesday and conclude in Thiruvananthapuram on August 27. In a change to the earlier schedule, Congress president Sonia Gandhi would arrive at Thiruvananthapuram airport at 12.30 p.m. that day. She would address a public meeting to mark the conclusion of the yatra at 5 p.m.

Lavalin inquiry

On the vigilance inquiry into the SNC Lavalin case, Mr. Chennithala said it would be completed at the earliest. There were media reports that there were more corruption in the Kerala State Electricity Board during the rule of the previous LDF Government, and all those charges would be investigated.

The KPCC general secretary V.S. Sivakumar, Minister for Tourism K.C. Venugopal and DCC president C.R. Jayaprakash were present.

The Chaithanya Yatra entered the district on Sunday evening and was received at Mannar. The yatra touched Mavelikkara and Charummood and ended at Kayamkulam on Monday.

Thousands of Congress workers lined up along the route. The yatra began from Haripad in the morning and touched Kuttanad, Ambalappuzha, Punnapra, Alappuzha, Cherthala and Aroor.

The former Chief Minister A.K. Antony, Mr. Venugopal and the Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran spoke at public meetings.

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