Kerala polls: Satheesan slams CM’s hypocrisy

Kochi/T'puram: Opposition leader V D Satheesan accused Pinarayi Vijayan of double standards and political opportunism after the CM criticized UDF's support for G Sudhakaran, a rebel candidate in Ambalappuzha. He questioned why the CM considers it a sign of weakness for Congress to support those leaving CPM.

Where is the justice in saying that those who leave Congress or IUML can be given seats by CPM, but UDF can't support those leaving CPM? he asked. He cited instances of CPM fielding ex-UDF leaders such as KT Jaleel, V Abdurahiman and KP Mustafa. He also highlighted the recent Palakkad bypoll where CPM chose someone who first approached BJP for a seat. Satheesan dared the CM to a face-to-face debate rather than hiding behind Facebook posts.




Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that CPM is upset over Sudhakaran aligning with UDF and claimed that CPM workers have issued death threats after the CM intensified attacks against Sudhakaran. He claimed Sudhakaran's driver received death threats. Calling out CPM's double standards, he said UDF leaders who joined LDF were given positions and recognition, while those moving in the opposite direction were vilified.

He accused CPM of hypocrisy, saying that while the party claims to stand with victims, it often sides with the accused. He cited the arrest of filmmaker Ranjith, a CPM sympathizer, claiming that ongoing polls forced the govt to act. He claimed LDF would have supported him if this was not the case and added that this was the third complaint against the director.

He claimed that CPM and LDF are relying on BJP, SDPI and PDP to secure electoral gains. However, he asserted that secular Kerala would defeat such attempts. He said current trends indicate that UDF is poised to win over 100 seats and form the next govt.