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UDF will win 32 seats in southern districts: Ravi

Staff Reporter

Thrissur : Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi on Sunday said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) would win 32 seats in the six districts where elections were held on Saturday.

Addressing a Meet-the-Press programme, organised by the Thrissur Press Club, Mr. Ravi claimed that the UDF would win seven seats each in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, five each in Kottayam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta, and three in Idukki.

He demanded a national debate on exit polls. "Should exit polls be conducted in places where elections are held in a phased manner? Exit polls are bound to influence voters," he said He claimed that the UDF would be in an advantageous position in the second phase of elections.

"We are confident of smooth victory in Malappuram, Palakkad and Ernakulam. On the other hand, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Wayanad will witness fierce electoral battles."

Asked if the UDF had benefited by the association with the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran), Mr. Ravi answered in the affirmative. "We are happy about the association. The role of DIC(K) will be more decisive in the second phase of elections."

Replying to a question, Mr. Ravi pointed out that if the UDF returned to power, it would not hesitate to have DIC(K) in the Cabinet.

He said the Congress had made efforts to have a fair trial for PDP leader Abdul Nasir Maudany, whereas the LDF had only paid lip-service to the cause.

Countering the LDF criticism that the UDF had fielded tainted candidates, Mr. Ravi said that the critics should remember that four sensational cases in the State had Left activists or supporters as accused -- Dasan and Rajagopalan in the Kozhikode ice-cream case and DYFI president Dharmarajan in the Suryanelli case.

"Opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan is yet to reveal the accused `VIP' in the Kiliroor case. The LDF has fielded Babu M. Palissery, who was the 13th accused in the Syedali murder case, in the Kunnamkulam constituency,'' Mr. Ravi said.

The Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs alleged that the LDF was receiving votes from communal parties such as PDP, but refusing to acknowledge the electoral understanding in public.

He said the Left was threatening to withdraw support to the UPA Government every now and then, alleging violation of the Common Minimum Programme, but had not cited any concrete points to substantiate the charge.

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