Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday said the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) stood a very good chance to win the forthcoming local body polls in the prevailing political environment.
Attacking the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for failing to attract the new middleclass and losing ground among the people, he said the State government adopted an uncompromising stance against corruption and issues concerning people.
“There are bad apples in bureaucracy, who will be firmly dealt with no matter their clout,” said Mr. Chennithala while inaugurating a reception accorded to the ‘Janapaksha Yatra’ led by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran at Vyttila. Units of the Congress across the city accorded reception to the Yatra, which is being held to campaign for a “secular and developed Kerala free from violence and addiction”.
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Mr. Sudheeran made a pitched appeal against alcohol and substance abuse and said the State government was sincere in its attempt to phase out liquor much to the chagrin of the liquor lobby. “The fact that the UDF has been able to take such a decision without being influenced by the vested interests of the liquor lobby demonstrates its spotless integrity.”
Accusing the Left Democratic Front of organising ‘adjustment’ strikes to cover up their internal differences, he said the protest called by them over the ‘Bar bribery’ issue was hogwash.
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Mr. Sudheeran showered praise on Mr. Chennithala for making efforts to curb corruption in bureaucracy. “There’s a widespread feeling that the laws are meant for the common man and that the powerful and the elite can get away with anything. Mr. Chennithala is changing that perception,” he said.