Kerala - Kochi   

CPI(M) has ties with BJP: Chennithala

Special Correspondent

KOCHI: Getting even with the CPI(M) over its allegation of the UDF's electoral understanding with the BJP in the civic elections, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday said it was the CPI(M) that had gone for a clandestine tie-up with the BJP.

At a news conference here, he alleged that the CPI(M) had a give-and-take arrangement with the BJP, particularly in Malappuram, Kottayam and Kozhikode districts. In Kottayam, KC(J) leader P.C. Thomas was the go-between for building bridges with the BJP. The CPI(M) had left over 2,000 panchayat and municipal wards, of a total of nearly 25,000 across the State, uncontested. This was to facilitate the victory of the BJP candidates, who were masquerading as Independents in these wards, the KPCC chief said.

The CPI(M) had abandoned all its principles and values in order to gain a few seats in the panchayat elections. He was sure the CPI(M)'s alliance with the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) would collapse once the elections were over. The CPI(M) was ready to ally with "any demon" in its bid to defeat the Congress, but this would boomerang on it. The other constituents of the LDF were "upset" at the CPI(M)'s tie-up with Mr. Karunakaran's party, Mr. Chennithala said.

He demanded that the CPI(M) leaders clarify their stand on Mr. Karunakaran's claim that he (Mr. Karunakaran) and Pinarayi Vijayan would be able to form a government. He said he would particularly like to know the view of Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan. He said he was pretty much sure that the DIC(K) would fade away after the panchayat elections.

As for the BJP State president's claim that nine District Congress Committee (DCC) chiefs had sought the BJP's help, Mr. Chennithala said he was fully confident that the DCC chiefs would not contact anyone on policy matters without first verifying them with the KPCC president. The BJP, which was the Congress's political foe at the national level, was out to tarnish the image of his party and this was why it was raising such allegations.

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