BJP is buying candidates before polls, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has come out against the BJP for derailing democratic process. He said instead of horse-trading, BJP has now shifted to purchasing candidates before polls. He blamed Congress for becoming a selling point for BJP.

“It’s a serious situation that Congress candidates and their nominees are lining up to sell themselves. In the Arunachal assembly polls, Congress gave BJP a walkover in 10 seats. Now this has been extended to the Lok Sabha elections as witnessed in Surat in Gujarat,’’ said Vijayan.

“How many candidates are there in the Congress who do not hesitate to change allegiance and betray before election? If they contest and win, what is the guarantee that these Congress candidates will not switch to BJP? How will the people trust Congress candidates, he asked.

“Congress in Kerala is led by those who claim to have guarded the RSS branch and who bow before Golwalkar’s photo by lighting a lamp. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma himself revealed a section of Congress leaders in Kerala had discussed forming a regional party and joining hands with NDA. Did those contesting now as Congress candidates participate in this discussion?’’ the CM asked.

“The people’s representatives who stand firm on their ideology and principles should reach the Lok Sabha. That is why it is the need of the hour to strengthen the Left to strengthen the secular credentials of the country. The people of Kerala will record their opinion on this on April 26,’’ he said.