CPM’s relevance diminishing: Oommen Chandy

KOZHIKODE: AICC general secretary and former chief minister Oommen Chandy has said that CPM was losing its relevance in national politics due to the stand taken by the party against joining a secular alliance against the BJP. Addressing media persons at Mananthavady in Wayanad, he said that though CPI was in favour of a broad alliance of secular parties, the CPM had opposed it.
“Congress had desired that CPM should be part of the secular alliance. CPI was interested in it but due to the stubborn stand taken by CPM leaders in Kerala, it didn’t materialise. Now, the relevance of CPM is getting diminished, which is their own making,” Chandy said. He said that Congress has always stood by believers but would not seek votes in the name of Sabarimala. He said Rahul Gandhi’s decision to not say a word against the CPM came from his tolerance.
Meanwhile, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said that Congress was ready for any compromise to prevent division of anti-BJP votes. He said that the Sabarimala issue would be resolved amicably if Congress was voted to power. “The issue could have been settled by the Union government by bringing an ordinance,” he said.