UDF-BJP-PDP combine will be defeated: CM

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, APRIL 23. The Chief Minister, Mr. E.K. Nayanar, has alleged that the UDF and the BJP are trying to extend the Vadakara model tie- up to the entire State.

Participating in a `Meet-the-Press' programme organised by the Press Club here today, Mr. Nayanar said the UDF- BJP combine had found an additional ally in the PDP.

`The people of Kerala, who had rejected the Beypore-Vadakara model, would throw out the UDF-BJP-PDP alliance as well,'' he said.

Mr. Nayanar predicted a revolt in the ranks of both the BJP and PDP on account of the two parties' attempt to transfer votes to the UDF camp and said democratic and secular sections within the UDF would not be able to support the `unholy alliance' which had come to light with the BJP not putting up its own candidates in Cherthala, Pala and Thiruvananthapuram West. Mr. K. Karunakaran had alleged that two Congress leaders had called on BJP leaders clandestinely to secure the party's support and subsequently it had come to light that the two leaders were the UDF convener, Mr. K. Sankaranarayanan, and Mr. Oommen Chandy.

Mr. A.K. Antony had still not denied such reports. He had also not commented on the statements of Mr. Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, Mr. K.M. Mani and Mr. E. Ahmed welcoming BJP votes, Mr. Nayanar pointed out.

Mr. Nayanar said the Indian National League (INL) was not an extremist organisation like the PDP. The LDF had only made some seat adjustments with the INL and no decision had been taken to accommodate the party in the LDF. The understanding with the INL did not involve questions of majority and minority communalism. It had come about basically on account of the INL's readiness to fight the BJP.

The Chief Minister took strong exception to the Congress stand that the liquor policy of the LDF Government, particularly its decision to hand over toddy sales to workers' cooperatives, would be reviewed and said this meant that the UDF wanted to bring back liquor barons like Manichan.

The LDF could not agree to such a policy. The decision to form workers' cooperatives for toddy sale had been endorsed by all trade unions including the INTUC, he added.

Mr. Nayanar took a dig at the Congress leadership, citing the row over who would be the Chief Minister if the UDF was voted to power. Mr. Karunakaran had declared that Mr. Antony was not the UDF's Chief Minister candidate. The other side had said that the issue would be decided by the high command.

Mr. Karunakaran was trying to get even with Mr. Antony who, he believes, had betrayed him in 1977 and 1995. It is a pity that Mr. Antony and Mr. Karunakaran are engaged in an argument over who should be the Chief Minister at a time when they are supposed to be leading struggles for resolving people's problems, he said.

The Chief Minister wanted to know how Mr. Antony could have agreed to Mr. R. Balakrishna Pillai's candidature in Kottarakara when Ms. Sonia Gandhi had been accusing the BJP Government of being the most corrupt Government the country had seen. Asked how he could criticise Mr. Pillai when his party was in alliance with Ms. Jayalalitha in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Nayanar said the CPI(M) had allied with the AIADMK to defeat the BJP.

This did not mean that the CPI (M) had no reservations about Ms. Jayalalitha, he added. To a question how the LDF had fielded Dr. A. Neelalohithadasan Nadar for the elections if it was such a stickler to principles and ethics, Mr. Nayanar said he could do nothing in the matter as, under the Constitution, Dr. Nadar had every right to contest in the election.

He may become ineligible to contest in the election if he is convicted by a court of law, but not before, the Chief Minister said.

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Section  : Southern States
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