Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: The CPM has refused to give due credit to the UDF for the thumping victory of its candidate K.S. Sabarinadhan in the Aruvikkara byelection.
While party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged that the UDF victory was the result of power, money, influence and alcohol, politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan said, “It is a victory of money power and appeasement politics.”
While conceding defeat, Mr Balakrishnan said in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday that the verdict was not an acknowledgement of the UDF’s good governance.
The UDF used the forces of religion and caste to ensure victory. “It is a victory of ‘influential groups.’ The UDF has tried for caste polarisation. This is a dangerous phenomenon,” he said.
This also led to the massive increase in the votes for the BJP, he pointed out. The party would analyse its loss in detail.
The results were a warning to the people and they should be more vigilant in the coming days, he said and added that the CPM would face this challenge and take up the responsibilities that come with it.
Mr Pinarayi Vijayan said in Kochi that the UDF victory was achieved by violating all rules and norms. “The LDF should have won the seat given the current circumstances in Kerala,” he said. The supreme confidence shown by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was a sign of money power and appeasement he added.
He alleged that Mr Chandy himself had led the violation of rules. “Unfortunately, the Election Commission has also facilitated such violations,” he said. Mr Pinarayi also denied that the result reflected the general opinion of the people of Kerala.
