THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The United Democratic Front (UDF) has attacked State Election Commission (SEC) for “playing politics" by delaying civic polls.
The UDF leaders felt it was a ploy to help Left Democratic Front (LDF) which has to be dealt with politically. They are upbeat and hopeful of winning a majority of the local governments.
At a daylong meeting at Government Guest House, Kovalam, home minister Ramesh Chennithala said the fault lies with the government itself for not completing the delimitation process in time.
The leaders expressed their displeasure against SEC K. Sasidharan Nair for playing politics, but decided not to go for confrontation.
At the meeting with the SEC on Monday, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had decided to hold the elections in one go by the end of November so that the new local self-governments are formed on December 1.
“At yesterday’s talks, an agreement was reached between the CM and the SEC. The schedule of the polls will be there in the affidavit to be filed in the High Court on the Sept 3,” said P. P. Thankachan, the UDF convener.
"The government has assured the SEC that it would lend all support for the smooth conduct of polls."
But Chennithala said in the UDF meeting that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) could not be cornered for the delay.
The UDF sub-committee on delimitation led by Mr Thankachan had submitted its report last April. Mr Chennithala came to the rescue of the IUML saying the fault lied with the government that prolonged the delimitation process until August.
IUML leader and industries minister P. K. Kunhalikutty said there were wards in Kannur and Kozhikode having 2,000 to 4,000 voters.
UDF leaders resolved to maintain the same unity and strength shown at the Aruvikkara by-election.
Mr Chandy apologised to the Socialist Janata (Democratic) leaders for not being able to take action against Congress leaders held responsible for its leader M. P. Veerendra Kumar’s defeat in Palakkad.
