KOCHI: The CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury has expressed apprehensions about a ‘match fixing’ by BJP and Congress in Kerala in the form a clandestine understanding for the Assembly elections. The possibility cannot be ruled out, he said, and added the new found bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy after the fireworks tragedy pointed towards such possibility.
Mr. Yechuri also recalled the earlier instances of such tactical alliances between RSS and Congress in the state. Claiming that the LDF is moving towards a comfortable victory in the assembly elections scheduled on May 16, Mr. Yechury allayed any fears about the liquor policy.
The LDF will not dilute the steps taken to reduce the consumption of liquor in the state, he said. Denying any confusion in CPM and LDF on the liquor policy, the CPM general secretary said LDF government will decide on the concrete steps to be taken for bringing down the consumption of liquor in the state.
Questioning the claim by Congress that the UDF government has closed down bars, he said “No bars have been closed in the state”. Liquor in the form of beer or wine is sold in the erstwhile bars, he said. Mocking at the claim of UDF on prohibition Mr. Yechury said that Kerala has now gained the dubious distinction of witnessing the fastest growth the five-star category of hotels.
Evading a direct answer to the contentious issue of chief minister candidature of the CPM, Mr. Yechury claimed that CPM and LDF is united to ensure the defeat of the UDF. “The LDF will be voted to power by people for effective governance against the threat of communalism and corruption”, he said.
On Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s statement about widening differences between VS Achuthanandan and Pinarayi Vijayan Mr. Yechury said that Mr. Chandy should address the burning issues of the people in the state instead of worrying about VS and Pinarayi. “We are capable of handling the problems amongst us”, he said.
