CM Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala, VM Sudheeran unite to take on BJP

The three leaders were huddled at Indira Bhavan here on Monday. Presenting a picture of unity, the trio announced they would marshal all forces at their command against the communal parties “trying to inject communal poison” in Kerala.

Mr Sudheeran said there was no doubt that the communal experiment of “Amit Shah and Modi” would be defeated in Kerala, known for its progressive and secular outlook. “It will not just strike roots in Kerala”, asserted Mr Sudheeran.

Mr Ramesh Chennithala said all secular forces in Kerala would join hands to defeat the communal forces.

Mr Chandy was sure the communal formation in was doomed in any form. “Even the CPM, which fought the Congress along with Jan Sangh in 1977, in the name of opposing the Emergency, could not succeed. The Congress-led front notched the biggest-ever tally of seats in Kerala in 1977”, said Mr Chandy.

According to sources, the three leaders resolved to take on the new “communal” phalanx and expose it further lest the CPM should position itself as the sole political entity, capable of checkmating communal outfits.

This is perhaps borne out of a realization that the UDF was perceived to be soft towards the BJP. The Left Democratic Front has been critical of Mr Chandy for trying to exaggerate the BJP’s electoral clout.

LDF leaders term Mr Chandy’s politics “myopic” because he lends more respectability to BJP, “whose communal agenda will upset the secular fabric of Kerala” and convert it into a communal cauldron.

Mr Chandy’s Aruvikkara statement, proclaiming BJP to be the main contender to UDF, was aimed at consolidating minorities in favour of the UDF, says the LDF.