Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee(I) president, Ramesh Chennithala, have alleged that ministers attached to the Communist Party of India(Marxist) have been blatantly violating the code of conduct prescribed by the Election Commission in Kannur.
Mr. Ramesh was addressing a Meet the Press programme at Pathanamthitta Press Club on Saturday.
The KPCC chief alleged that the sentiments of the general public were against the government and people were fed-up with the anti-people policies of the Left Democratic Front Government (LDF). The State machinery too is being misused by the government in the election campaign in Kannur, he alleged.
He said the United Democratic Front (UDF) was confident of a thumping victory in the by-polls to be held in all the three Assembly segments, adding that the government was bound to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in Kannur for the people to exercise their franchise fearlessly.
“CPI(M) and the LDF government are trying in vain to create an artificial mandate by hook or by crook in the forthcoming Assembly by-elections in Kannur, Ernakulam and Alappuzha,’’ Mr. Ramesh alleged.
KPCC president said the forthcoming by-elections in Kannur would be the worst of its kind in the election history of Kerala. He said the Election Commission should take note of the attempts on the part of the ruling CPI(M) to influence the voters in Kannur by misusing the official machinery and manipulating the voters’ list.
He said Congress(I) would legally counter the irregularities in the voters’ list in Kannur.
When asked about Mr. K. Muraleedharan’s plan to return to the Congress(I) fold and his decision to campaign for the UDF candidates in the Assembly by-elections, the KPCC chief said every person has got the freedom to campaign for the Congress(I) candidates.
On another question on the ‘Love Jihad’ controversy, Mr. Ramesh declined to comment saying that the party would study the issue and come out with its reaction at the appropriate time, later.
Mr. P. Mohanraj, District Congress Committee president, was also present.
