CPI(M) polit bureau member Prakash Karat has said that the only way for the BJP to enter the Kerala Assembly would be through an understanding with the UDF. He was referring to the reported statement by senior Congress leader A.K. Antony, who had called for a BJP-free Assembly.
Addressing the media here on Monday, Mr. Karat welcomed the Congress leader’s statement but said: “Unfortunately, the record of the Congress does not inspire confidence, to put it mildly. The Congress party does not believe in it [taking on the BJP], neither has it the resources, politically or ideologically, to take on the BJP. In Kerala’s context, only the LDF can take on the BJP.”
Communal polarisation
He said there was tremendous rise in communal polarisation, tension, and attack on minorities wherever the BJP was in power. “Kerala cannot accept communal polarisation,” he said and stressed the need for isolating the BJP.
He said what the LDF wanted was not just the UDF’s defeat but also the former’s return to power and added that only a change in policies could end the increasing agrarian crisis in the State and put in place an economic policy that would provide employment opportunities.
No total prohibition
Reacting to a question, Mr. Karat said the CPI(M) would take a new look at the liquor policy if voted to power. “Our avowed stance is that total prohibition does not work. However, various States have agreed that liquor consumption is a major ill, and the demand for total prohibition has gone along with the popular mood. There was a similar demand in Tamil Nadu too. And, we have said ‘okay’.”
The CPI(M) leader said the party was learning from experience, and that it had an open mind to find the right way to control and reduce liquor consumption and added that he did not believe in the arrangement that the UDF government had made. “We will review it with an open mind,” he said.
WB arrangement
Mr. Karat said the arrangement in West Bengal was the result of a peculiar situation prevailing in that State.
“The party in power did not allow people even to come out and vote. So, we have become part of the larger unity of all parties other than the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.
“It appeared that the arrangement had worked at several places, and people could resist attempts to stop them from casting vote. We will review the issue after the election,” he said.
To another question, he said the CPI(M) had made its stance clear on the Augusta-Westland deal way back in 2013. “We have felt that the Indian investigating agencies had not made sincere efforts to unearth facts and as such had sought an investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court,” he said.
