LDF setback in local body polls due to BJP-Congress deal, says M A Baby

T'puram: CPM general secretary M A Baby on Saturday claimed that there was a secret electoral understanding between BJP and Congress, and the setback faced by LDF in the last local body elections was the result of such an unholy nexus.

Baby said the BJP was able to win Nemom in 2016 only because of the vote transfer of Congress to BJP and raised apprehension that such deals could be again at play in several assembly segments in the upcoming election. According to Baby, anyone who knows the simple arithmetic can understand why BJP won Nemom in 2016. "A BJP veteran having long association with RSS could enter the assembly as the votes of UDF were polled in favour of BJP," Baby said, adding that it was the resolute decision of LDF that saw BJP lose its seat in the 2021 election.

Baby said not only Congress, but IUML also won several wards in the local body election with the support of BJP and RSS. He said that at no cost should people of Kerala let BJP and RSS expand their foothold in the state. Baby expressed hope that people would bear in mind the development initiatives and welfare schemes launched and successfully managed by the LDF govt during the last 10 years. They will cast their votes in favour of LDF to form a govt for the third consecutive term, he added.


Responding to questions, Baby said he did not believe that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was personally involved in the Sabarimala gold scam. Baby said he has great respect for Sonia Gandhi, and circulation of some photographs in which she was seen with people accused in the gold theft case was not enough to suspect her role in the theft. However, Baby raised suspicion over the camaraderie between the accused and Congress functionaries and former devaswom president. He said Congress leadership did not clear such doubts.