CPI-M in secret pact with BJP in Kerala: Congress
March 27th, 2011 - 7:14 pm ICT by IANS
Thiruvananthapuram, March 27 (IANS) The Congress Sunday charged Kerala’s ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist of having a secret pact with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to help the latter open its account in the state in the April 13 assembly polls.
Addressing reporters here, former Congress state unit chief Ramesh Chennithala claimed the tacit understanding between the two parties started ahead of last October’s local bodies poll.
“The very fact that understanding still continues is seen from the fact that the BJP has not put up their candidate against (Chief Minister V.S.) Achuthanandan in Malampuzha constituency,” said Chennithala, who stepped down last week after a six-year stint to contest the elections.
To a reporter citing state BJP president V. Muraleedharan’s statement that the party has left the seat to its ally (Janata Dal-United), Chennithala shot back by saying that this is enough to prove the secret understanding that these two parties have.
The BJP is yet to open its account in the state assembly. The party’s best has been finishing second in two constituencies in the northern district of Kasargode in the past three assembly elections.
Asked to respond to Achuthanandan’s jibe that the two helicopters that reached the state to carry Congress leaders to canvass were funded by the money made from the 2G spectrum scandal, Chennithala sidestepped the issue, saying the Congress party has been using helicopters for election campaigns in the past.
“It is the party high command that has sent us these helicopters for use during the election campaign,” said Chennithala.
Chennithala parried questions on reports that he is angling for the post of chief minister and also clarified that he has no differences with Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy, who is widely tipped to be the chief minister if the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) wins the polls.
“We have no difference of opinion at all and we have been working as a team for the past many years. Soon after the elections, our party in the state will adhere to a policy of one-man-one-post,” he said.
Thalaekunnil Bashir has been named the acting head of the Congress’ Kerala unit.
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- First off block in Kerala: BJP names 40 candidates - Mar 10, 2011
- 50 percent newcomers, women, youth likely in Congress' Kerala list - Mar 23, 2011
- Congress wins Kerala cliffhanger from 'old man' Achuthanandan (Roundup) - May 13, 2011
- Poll campaign gains momentum in Kerala - Mar 31, 2011
- Chandy, Achuthanandan win handsomely - May 13, 2011
- Congress sets up election panel for Kerala - Mar 09, 2011
- Security stepped up in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry - Apr 12, 2011
- Chennithala takes potshots at CPI-M - Jan 10, 2012
- Congress points to Marxist-BJP 'unholy alliance' in Kerala - Nov 15, 2011
- Keralites hail CM Achutanandan's decision to contest polls - Mar 21, 2011
Tags: assembly elections, assembly polls, bharatiya janata party, bjp, chief minister, communist party of india, communist party of india marxist, congress leaders, congress party, democratic front, difference of opinion, election campaigns, leader of opposition, oommen chandy, ruling communist party, secret pact, state assembly, thiruvananthapuram, unit chief, v s achuthanandan