Congress-BJP Secret Deal in Keralam Assembly Polls; LDF Will Win from 100 Seats: M A Baby

Kottayam: CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby has alleged that the BJP is raising charges of links with the LDF to conceal the secret understanding between Congress and BJP in the state. Speaking to mediapersons in Kottayam, Baby asserted that the Left has always stood firm in protecting the rights of minorities and backward communities.

Baby claimed the LDF would win more than 100 seats in the assembly election, saying the disappointment of falling short of a century last time would be overcome in this election. He described Congress and BJP as two sides of the same coin on liberalisation and globalisation policies as well as in accepting money through electoral bonds.

On the question of minority relations, Baby pointed out that it was E M S who had taken the initiative to bring the Muslim League into a governing coalition, and that it is the Left that has always stood for the welfare of minorities.

Baby launched sharp criticism against Congress over the gold theft case, saying there was a deep mystery surrounding the visits of key accused in the case to Sonia Gandhi. He demanded that the Congress leadership explain how the accused had gained access to highly secured venues on multiple occasions. He noted that the LDF had offered to suspend assembly proceedings to discuss the matter, but the opposition had evaded the debate. He made clear that the CPI(M) would not shield those who had committed wrongs, and that the party would take strict action against anyone found to have done so.

Baby alleged that it is the Congress, not the LDF, that has an electoral understanding with the SDPI, pointing out that the SDPI candidate in Kasaragod was withdrawn through UDF intervention. He said the media was selectively auditing only the CPI(M) while ignoring the UDF's dealings. The LDF has not sought votes from any communal organisation, nor held talks with any such outfit, he said.

On the Peramabra announcement controversy, Baby said instructions had been given to correct it if an error occurred, and that the incident did not happen with the candidate's knowledge.