The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is confident that the AIADMK-led alliance is poised to wrest power from the DMK in Tamil Nadu and the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has an edge over the UDF in the Kerala.
Flagging corruption and price rise as two dominant issues in these elections, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat told The Hindu on Tuesday that in Tamil Nadu, where his party is contesting 12 seats in alliance with the AIADMK, there was a “strong undercurrent for change, and against the DMK.” The focus was on the alleged scam in the 2G spectrum/licence allocation. “The AIADMK-led alliance is poised to win…”
Mr. Karat said the Election Commission had seized cash (meant for distribution to voters) in Tamil Nadu, but there were reports that money was given away in the past two-three days.
Mr. Karat said the CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala campaigned on the planks of corruption and price rise; the coalition leaders were successful in projecting the work done by the LDF government in the past five years. “The Chief Minister's role in fighting corruption and efforts to strengthen the public distribution system have gone down well, and we have been able to put the UDF in the dock.” Unlike as in some other States, the policies adopted by the Kerala government helped to prevent suicide by farmers.
Furthermore, the campaign highlighted the government's measures for social welfare, and for turning around loss-making public sector undertakings. “Overall, the campaign has helped the LDF have an edge. We are confident the LDF will gain lead… There is no anti-incumbency…” Mr. Karat said.
Rahul's remark “silly”
Mr. Karat termed “silly” Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's remark that Kerala would have a nonagenarian as Chief Minister in five years if the LDF was re-elected under V.S. Achuthanandan.
