Will approach CPM if need be: AK Antony

Thiruvananthapuram: A. K. Antony on Saturday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the eve of the culmination of his 13-day roadshow across the state.

Addressing reporters along with Dr Shashi Tharoor, the candidate here, at its central election committee office here, the senior Congress leader said his party would seek the support of CPM after the polls if needed.

He said the first preference is to pre-poll partners where CPM will be in the gallery watching the match. However, in the event of Rahul Gandhi getting invited to form the next government, Congress would seek CPM support.

“We don’t have untouchability, and we don’t mind allying with anyone to keep BJP out of power. It would always be better to garner maximum seats alone,” he said.

The former Union defence minister said the Army had carried out three surgical strikes during his time, but he never politicised it, unlike Mr Modi. Usually, India would not reveal such military secrets. “Mr Modi is violating all these and politicising the Army,” he said.

“If we are being attacked, we will retaliate. But we will not reveal when and where, as these are all military secrets. Mr Modi is the best actor of the year 2019 and is better than Amitabh Bachchan, Mammootty and Mohanlal at that.”

Turning to Mr Vijayan, he accused him of creating a rift among people and being a polarising figure.

“He could have read the Sabarimala judgment properly and handled it with maturity after talking to concerned parties. Instead, he provoked devotees by claiming that he will bring police from neighbouring states if forces here are insufficient,” he said.

He also released Dr Tharoor’s 20-point manifesto for the constituency.