THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI is of the considered opinion that the LDF will spoil its good image among the people if K. Karunakaran's Democratic Indira Congress (DIC-K) is allowed to join it as a coalition partner, CPI State secretary Veliyam Bharghavan has said.

At a press conference here on Saturday, Mr. Bharghavan said the State council of his party had discussed in detail the issue of allowing the DIC(K)'s entry into the LDF.

The unanimous opinion was that Mr. Karunakaran's party would damage the reputation of the LDF, he said.

The people perceive the LDF as a force opposed to political corruption. It represents the interests of the working class, the farmers and the poor. The LDF had attained this image through relentless fight against corruption and constant struggle over the last several decades to protect the interests of the working class and the ordinary people, Mr. Bharghavan said.

"If the DIC(K) becomes part of the LDF, the people will start asking whether there is any difference between the LDF and the UDF. Such a situation should be avoided," Mr. Bharghavan said.

He said the LDF had absolutely no need to entertain the DIC(K). The results of the Lok Sabha elections and the panchayat elections had clearly shown that the LDF could do without this splinter outfit from the Congress.

"Defeating the UDF in the next Assembly elections is a deeply felt need of the people of the State. They are waiting for the opportunity," he said. He said Mr. Karunakaran's "impatience" to get into the LDF was quite understandable. "He knows the UDF is finished. With the help of the LDF, he wants to win more seats (than the Congress) so that he could go back to the Congress and assume full control of that party. I will not fault him for devising such a strategy to strengthen his bargaining power over the Congress. It is up to the LDF to realise what he is up to," Mr. Bharghavan said.

He said the CPI would categorically state these views at the LDF meeting that would discuss the stand to be taken on the DIC(K) issue. "Any decision on this matter should be taken only after discussion among the constituents of the LDF," he said.

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