The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) has decided to field a CPI(M) candidate for the Aruvikkara Assembly by-poll, necessitated by the death of G. Karthikeyan.
An LDF meeting here on Saturday at the AKG Centre authorised the LDF Thiruvananthapuram district committee to work out the campaign and other modalities for the poll. The Assembly constituency (erstwhile Aryanad) is the traditional seat of the RSP, which is now in the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).
The LDF sought to keep the pressure on Finance Minister K.M. Mani and Excise Minister K. Babu over the bar bribery allegations, by staging a dharna in front of the Secretariat on May 7 and evening dharnas in panchayats across the State on May 16.
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Addressing a press conference, LDF convener Vaikom Viswan said legislators and MPs of the LDF, elected representatives from the capital district, and LDF leaders would attend the dharna.
Chandy criticised
He said a case should be registered on the basis of the 164 statement given by Biju Ramesh in court and both Mr. Mani and Mr. Babu should resign. Alleging that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was the brain behind corruption, Mr. Viswan said the allegations against Mr. Mani and Mr. Babu should be treated differently as it took place at different places.
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“The attempt is to sabotage the case despite statements and adequate proof. They are hanging in the Cabinet for this,” he said. Replying to queries, the LDF convener said the meeting did not deliberate on expanding the LDF.
“If the RSP and the JD(U) come out of the UDF, we will hold discussions and decide on taking them. Both are having a tough time in the UDF.”