Thiruvananthapuram: Allegations of a covert understanding between the CPM and the BJP, raised by Congress leader K Muraleedharan, have sparked a sharp political row in the Vattiyoorkavu constituency, which is witnessing a heated triangular contest. Muraleedharan alleged that certain BJP councillors in the constituency were campaigning for NDA candidate R Sreelekha during the day while covertly supporting LDF candidate V K Prasanth at night. He claimed that the alleged arrangement was aimed at avenging the BJP’s defeat in the Nemom constituency during the 2021 assembly elections, for which they held him responsible. Both Prasanth and Sreelekha, however, strongly rejected the allegations. Prasanth said Muraleedharan’s remarks indicated that he already conceded defeat in the constituency and was preparing the ground for post-poll justifications. “His statements should be seen as an excuse he plans to offer after defeat,” Prasanth said, dismissing the claims as baseless and ridiculing suggestions of any backdoor deal. Echoing similar views, Sreelekha termed the allegations “completely absurd” and said they did not merit a response. “I am conducting my campaign in my own way. Do I need to respond to everything?” she asked. With the campaign gaining momentum, Vattiyoorkavu is witnessing an intensifying war of words between the contenders, underlining the high stakes in one of the capital city’s most closely watched constituencies.
