LDF’s eye on polls: KPCC chief

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala has lashed out at the Left Democratic Front (LDF) for ‘unleashing violence’ against leaders of the United Democratic Front (UDF).

Delivering the keynote address at a meeting to commemorate the fourth death anniversary of Mercy Ravi here on Thursday, Mr. Chennithala said violent protests were being organised with an eye on the upcoming general elections. He said the Opposition had every right to agitate against the policies of the government through democratic means.

‘‘However, recent instances show their agitations are being intended to stir unrest and weaken the ruling dispensation. Such negative efforts to hinder governance would ultimately affect the common populace and pave way for anarchy,’’ he said.

‘‘The unfair and undemocratic actions of the Opposition which has being organising agitations along primitive lines will be countered by all means. The LDF, particularly the CPI(M), must restrain from employing party workers to fulfil the vested interests of a few,’’ he said.

Echoing the views, Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said that every citizen had the right to dissent and this was the basic principle of a democracy.

No violence

At the same time, it should be remembered that protests should not give way to violence. Inaugurating the meeting, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy recalled the contributions made by Mercy Ravi towards the progress of the Congress. He was of the opinion that politicians should be held accountable for their deeds. Mercy Ravi Foundation chairman P.V. Chandran presided over the meeting. Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, Jose K. Mani, MP, Joseph Vazhakkan, MLA, district panchayat vice-president Philson Mathews, Kottayam municipal chairman M.P. Santhosh Kumar, film-maker Sathyan Anthikad, industrialist C.K. Menon, District Congress Committee president Tomy Kallani and KPCC general secretary Lathika Subhash participated in the meet.