Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

UDF campaign with an eye on polls: VS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said here on Wednesday that the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala could be spearheading a campaign against the government with calculations for mid-term elections to Parliament.

Talking reporters after a Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said though the Left parties had raised objections over the 123 agreement with the U.S., it had no plans to withdraw support to the Union Government.

However, the Centre was ignoring the demands of the Left parties.

This was a move with plans to hold mid-term elections. Given the political climate in the country, the State leadership of the Congress might have received indications about mid-term polls. This would have prompted it to launch the agitation demanding the resignation of Forest Minister Benoy Viswom over the ISRO land deal.

Mr. Achuthanandan added that the Left had been putting forward only constructive suggestions in the sub-committee constituted to study the agreement.

The U.S. had brought in the Hyde Act, costing much liability to India. It would make the country dependent on the U.S. The Left was demanding changes or non-implementation of the agreement with a view to protect national interest.

Ruling out a probe into the land deal between ISRO and Merchiston estate for setting up the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, the Chief Minister said a probe at this juncture would only mean putting hurdles on the path of setting up the institute in the State. The Government was not willing to do anything that would result in the State losing the Institute. Mr. Achuthanandan said the Government, however, would take steps to recover Government land.

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