Kodiyeri Balakrishnan thanks SNDP on Chengannur bypoll

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Sunday clarified that the LDF was not chasing after Kerala Congress (M) but thanked SNDP for its stand in by polls. CPM has close relationship with SNDP, but was not interested in BDJS as that party was a creation of the BJP, Mr Balakrishnan told reporters at a press conference to brief the deliberations at the CPM state committee meeting on Sunday.

Mr Balakrishnan pointed out that both the BJP and UDF lost their traditional votes in Chengannur. A.K. Antony had tried for BJP’s votes in Chengannur. Mr Balakrishnan also came heavily on the media by saying that the bourgeois media campaigned for UDF in Chengannur bypoll. It was a collective win of the UDF in Chengannur. Not only one community, but all the sections of the people supported the LDF as they felt that only CPM can counter BJP, he added.

He said that the cabinet reshuffle was not discussed in the state committee meet. The party was trying to increase the vote bank before the Lok Sabha elections, said Mr Balakrishnan. He said that there were no major issues between the CPM and the CPI. This is why they are in the same front.  As they are different parties, it is natural that each party expressed their views on different issues, said Mr Balakrishnan. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that the party's Rajya Sabha candidate will be finalised at CPM secretariat meeting on Friday.