KOLLAM: The LDF candidate in Chavara is a result of a conspiracy between CPM leaders and bar owners, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Tuesday. He was inaugurating the UDF’s first election campaign in the state at Eravipuram.
Hotelier N. Vijayan Pillai, the LDF candidate fielded by the CMP, was a Congressman earlier. He left Congress in protest against the government's prohibition policy. The UDF will take a firm stand (against liquor), to ensure peace in families, leading to a total ban, Mr Chandy said.
Criticising V.S. Achuthanandan's demand to keep away from the fray, Mr. Chandy said the former should answer why CPM gave seats to K.B. Ganesh Kumar and Kovoor Kunjumon while denying one to veteran leader P.K. Gurudasan.
“Kunjumon had visited me and assured his support to the UDF, but he changed his stance within no time and joined the LDF. Mr Achuthanandan is protecting those who have betrayed the fronts eyeing positions,” he alleged.
“Those who got desperate after finding nothing from the Coimbatore CD hunt are fabricating new stories. If I am not worth contesting, the UDF will suffer a setback in the people's court. It is beneficial for the LDF. The State has never seen such a failed opposition,” he said.
