The Hindu : Front Page : Opposition petitions Governor

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Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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Opposition petitions Governor

Special Correspondent

Alleges undemocratic practices, misuse of power to capture cooperatives

Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) on Thursday took its anti-CPI(M) campaign to another level by petitioning Governor R.L. Bhatia against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s undemocratic practices and misuse of power to capture cooperative bodies in the State.

A high-power delegation, led by Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy, UDF convener P.P. Thankachan, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala, Indian Union Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty, Communist Marxist Party leader M.V. Raghavan, Kerala Congress (M) leader C.F. Thomas, and Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithy leader Rajan Babu, met the Governor and submitted a memorandum seeking his intervention in the matter.

Pariyaram poll

The memorandum alleged that the LDF government had been misusing power to capture the administration of cooperative societies from the primary to the apex level. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) uses muscle power and the police whenever elections are conducted. In Kannur district, the CPI (M) used the method in the election to the managing committee of Chemberi Service Cooperative Bank, controlled by the Congress since its inception. The CPI (M) adopted this method in several elections, the latest being the one to the Pariyaram Medical College society.

The election was held as per the direction of the Supreme Court, but UDF voters were prevented by the police from voting. The CPI (M) captured the society even though it did not have 25 voters. The party did not have qualified candidates, but misused power to get additional shares allotted.

The memorandum pointed out that only 376 members were qualified voters. The CPI (M) was able to capture power by preventing the UDF voters from casting their votes and resorting to impersonation, assisted by the police and government officials.

The delegation also submitted a CD on the events that took place during the Pariyaram election.

Prior to meeting the Governor, the UDF leadership lined up all the voters at a convention organised in the city in this connection.

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