UDF not to seek help from outside

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT. 2. The UDF convener, Mr. K. Sankaranarayanan, said here today that the Opposition coalition was firm on not forging any kind of alliance at any of the tiers of the local bodies with parties outside its fold, including the BJP.

Briefing journalists on the decisions of the UDF high power committee meeting, Mr. Sankaranarayanan said the front had decided to officially file nominations papers for the elections to the presiding officers of various layers of local bodies, slated to be held on October 5. ``But we would not have any relations with the BJP, overt, covert or under the table,'' he quipped in reply to a question.

Referring to the constant LDF propaganda about the Congress(I)- BJP alliance during the elections, he said neither the Congress(I) nor the UDF was unduly worried about such campaign, which had been disproved. ``The CPI(M) has been reduced to a mere State party. In Gujarat, the Congress(I) had given a sound thrashing to the BJP in the local bodies elections, proving once again that only it was equipped to take on the BJP,'' he observed.

The UDF convener accused the BJP and the CPI(M) of jointly unleashing a reign of terror in several parts of the State in the aftermath of the elections. In Kozhikode, Kannur and Alappuzha, the CPI(M) cadres had indulged in violence with the support of the police, and law and order was not being enforced properly. In Thalassery, the CPI(M) cadres had laid siege to the police station as the Naxalites do.

Referring to the plight of five-year-old Asina, who lost a limb in the bomb attack in Kannur when the election was on, he said the Government response to her plight was lukewarm. He urged the State Government to take steps to meet the entire medical expenses of the girl, as well as ensure her future.

He said the UDF's performance in the local bodies election was stellar, coming as it did in the backdrop of the misuse of power and hype about the People's Plan Campaign. The verdict was a clear expression of resentment against the LDF Government's corruption, misuse of powers and highhandedness of the CPI(M). Except for the district panchayats and a few city corporations, the UDF had emerged victorious by winning more number of seats than the LDF. The LDF had secured nine district panchayats, as against the four by the UDF. The prospects of the LDF winning the Malappuram District Panchayat appears to be remote given the present composition. The UDF and the LDF had emerged as forces with equal strength, he felt. Referring to the Kannur Power Project, he said the Government should be prepared to disclose why it changed the KSEB Chairman, Mr. Sukumar Oommen, suddenly in the light of the row over the project after having inducted him with fanfare. He defended Mr. Oommen's action since it was in public interest.

Asked about the fate of the Plus Two agitation, Mr. Sankaranarayanan said the Kerala Congress(Joseph) was given a drubbing in Central Kerala. Mr. Joseph's party lost in his own ward in Thodupuzha, the UDF convener remarked.

The UDF committee also registered its strong protest against the steep hike in prices of petroleum products. It urged the Centre to review the hike decision.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : LDF to review poll outcome on Oct. 6
Next     : Cong(I) approached us for support: BJP