The Hindu : Front Page : Pinarayi makes strong pitch for larger coalition

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 12, 2005

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Front Page

Pinarayi makes strong pitch for larger coalition

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has made a strong pitch for a larger coalition under the leadership of the Left to fight a possible UDF-BJP combine in the coming Assembly elections.

Chairing over the valedictory session of the second International Congress on Kerala Studies here on Sunday, Mr. Vijayan came down heavily on those who argued that the CPI(M) or the Left could fight the election on its own. He said the LDF's massive victory in the just-held Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha byelection was more due to the support extended to the LDF by the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) than the quality of the LDF nominee Pannian Ravindran.

Taking a strong dig at the CPI, the leadership of which has reportedly decided to oppose the induction of the DIC(K) into the LDF, Mr. Vijayan said the claim that the LDF victory in Thiruvananthapuram was mainly due to the qualities of the candidate such as his earthy behaviour and accessibility to the commoners were mistaken.

A candidate's qualities or appearance would not by themselves ensure victory in elections, he asserted.

Tracing the history of elections in Kerala since the State's formation, he pointed out that coalitions were a crucial instrument in the Left's victory whenever it formed the Government in the State. He said the argument that there was no need for a larger coalition was `unacceptable.'

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