THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With a section of UDF leaders trying desperately to revive Sabarimala issue on the eve of elections to five assembly constituencies especially Konni, the LDF is wary of the opposition game plan and wants to steer clear of controversial issues.
The LDF camp believes that after Pala debacle the UDF is desperate to divert people’s attention from important issues. “The by-elections are not being held on Sabarimala issue. They are deliberately pushing the divisive agenda. But we are not going to take the bait. The matter is pending before the court. Let the law take its own course. We don’t have any role,” said CPI central secretariat member Pannyan Raveendran.
The Left leaders say the battle is between a divided UDF and a united LDF. “The difference between the two fronts is as clear as broad daylight. People know it. It was evident in Pala,” he said.
Many say with the state government enfo-rcing the Supreme Court order in Piravom church issue and Maradu flats, the opposition particularly the BJP can no longer accuse Pinarayi of going soft on others. Though the state government was forced to act following the strident position taken by the Courts, the fact that the verdicts have been implemented has brought relief to the ruling front and deprived the opposition of an opportunity to slam them.
The CPM is of the firm opinion that Congress and BJP which had succeeded in misleading a section of voters during Lok Sabha elections by promising to bring ordinance/bill to protect the interest of devotees, will not be able to do a repeat. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had categorically stated that the Centre cannot bypass Supreme Court order on Sabarimala. RSS ideologue and BJP general secretary Ram Madhav had also echoed same sentiments. “People here do not want to see Kerala turning into a place of disharmony, mob lynching, and communal-caste clashes. They will always support peace and tranquility prevailing under the Left government,” said a Left leader.
In the secretariat and state committee meetings of CPM held weeks before the announcement of bypoll, the part had decided not to campaign aggressively for the entry of young women in Sabarimala temple and wait for the outcome of review petition. The left says it is unfortunate that senior leaders like Ramesh Chennithal are trying polarise the election on religious lines by raking up Sabairmala. Even people are not raising these issues.
However, the LDF leadership says there is no room for complacency. Cadres have been asked to be vigilant against any move to communalise the poll campaign and attempts to mislead the people on Sabarimala issue.
The workers will conduct house to house visit to counter the opposition propoganda.
