Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader V D Satheesan on Friday alleged a “clear and calculated unholy alliance” between CPM and BJP in Kerala, saying that cross-voting and strategic candidate placements point to a tacit understanding between the two parties. The impact of this arrangement will be most evident in Palakkad, where efforts are under way to split UDF votes and facilitate a BJP victory, he said.There is a “strong possibility” of CPM-BJP cross-voting, Satheesan to TOI, urging a closer look at BJP’s candidate list. “In several constituencies, BJP has not fielded candidates at all. Instead, seats have been freely allotted to parties like BDJS and Twenty20, even in areas where they have no organisational presence. BJP is withdrawing,” he said.Satheesan questioned the rationale behind such allocations. “Beyond one or two constituencies in eastern parts of Ernakulam, where else does Twenty20 have a presence in Kerala? Yet, they have been given seats far beyond their strength. This indicates a deeper understanding between CPM and Twenty20,” he alleged.He said a major national party like BJP ceded seats to smaller allies such as BDJS and Twenty20 even in constituencies where these parties lack grassroots support. “Weak candidates have been deliberately fielded in several constituencies to ensure CPM victories,” he added.Satheesan described Palakkad as a traditional Congress stronghold where BJP typically finishes second and CPM trails in third place — a trend that was also reflected in the recent byelection. However, CPM’s choice of candidate this time is aimed solely at splitting UDF votes, he alleged.“In Palakkad, CPM fielded a candidate not to win, but to divide UDF votes. This is a calculated move to help the BJP candidate secure victory. In return, BJP will extend support to CPM in several other constituencies,” he said.Satheesan exuded confidence that UDF’s prospects in Palakkad remained unaffected. “Nothing will happen to UDF in Palakkad. We will win the seat with double the margin secured in the last byelection,” he asserted.Satheesan said UDF was poised for a decisive return to power. “We will secure more than 100 seats and form the govt,” he added.Rejects delay over candidate listMeanwhile, addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram, he said UDF finalised seat-sharing without any discord, with all constituents accommodated. UDF and Congress completed the announcement of all 140 candidates in the state at the fastest pace in their history, and the seat-sharing process reflected the spirit of “Team UDF” in the truest sense, he said.He rejected criticisms over delay in releasing the candidate list, stating that unlike CPM, Congress followed a structured process. “State leadership submits the list to the screening committee chaired by Madhusudan Mistry in Delhi, after which the central election committee, comprising Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, takes the final decision,” he said. The party was ready with 50 candidates on the first day itself, but Mistry’s inability to reach Delhi due to health issues delayed the process, with the first list released within 48 hours thereafter, he added.He criticised sections of the media for what he called a lack of propriety, asking them to review their own reports. He said the narrative of “delay” in candidate selection was media-generated and not based on any statement from party leaders.He cited reports of K Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash contesting elections, followed by contradictory reports that they wouldn’t contest, stating that no such decisions were taken in Delhi at the time. He accused the media of attempting to portray internal discord within Congress, including reports that he would resign as opposition leader if Sudhakaran was fielded.MSID:: 129703292 413 |
