Kodiyeri: people lack trust in Congress manifesto

Says alliance of secular, socialist parties to form after polls

CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan addresses mediapersons at the ‘Dilli Chalo’ programme of the Calicut Press Club in Kozhikode on Friday. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

Neither the Congress, nor the BJP will come into power at the Centre this May, deputy leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said.

Instead, there would be a new political polarisation of regional parties from various States. The CPI(M) would be part of it, he said at the ‘Dilli Chalo’ programme of the Calicut Press Club here on Friday.

There was no national-level coalition of secular and socialist parties at present. But, such an alliance would be formed after the election results were announced, he said.

“People will no more believe in the Congress election manifesto, which is only a repetition of its previous ones. Nobody will believe when they say they will make things happen now. The party did nothing during its 10-year tenure,” he said.

Inflation and the high prices of essential commodities were to be major factors of public impact. This was besides issues such as unemployment and women’s safety, Mr. Balakrishnan said.

There was a move to garner the support of BJP sympathisers. This was evident in the recent speeches of UDF candidate M.P. Veerendrakumar and KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran. The Congress had lost most of its allies at the Centre and in many States. The party lacked confidence now, he said.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had no right to remain in power after the High Court’s remarks in the land-grab case in which his former gunman Salim Raj was reportedly involved, Mr. Balakrishnan said.

On the CPI(M) supporting many independent candidates in the State, Mr. Balakrishnan said it was a practice followed by the party for generations. The party was indeed honoured that so many prominent independent candidates were ready to accept its support, he said.

He denied the allegation that the party had snatched away seats from LDF allies. The RSP joining the UDF was a planned move, he said.

Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan had made his stand clear regarding the death of RMP leader T.P. Chandrasekharan. There was no need to draw parallels between the death of Chadrasekharan and the land-grab case involving Salim Raj, he added.