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Natesan predicts 85 seats for LDF

Staff Reporter

He says it is CPI(M)'s right to select leader

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Electing the Chief Minister is the prerogative of the CPI(M) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam will not intervene in such issues, Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has said.

Participating in a Meet-the-Press programme organised by the Kesari Memorial Journalists Trust here on Thursday, Mr. Natesan said the Yogam had extended support to the LDF, but would never insist on anyone's candidature for the Chief Minister's post. It was the privilege of the CPI(M). There was a wave in favour CPI(M) Polit Bureau member V.S. Achuthanandan and that would work to the advantage of the LDF. Leader of the Congress and the UDF need not bother about the Chief Minister candidate of the LDF. It would be too early to comment about Mr. Achuthanandan's administerial skills. His differences of opinion with Mr. Achuthanandan had been sorted out, Mr. Natesan said.

Predicting 85 seats for the LDF in the Assembly elections, Mr. Natesan said that but for two UDF candidates K.B. Ganesh Kumar and yet another candidate (whom he did not name) the LDF would have clean sweep in Kollam district. Even if the LDF comes to power, the Yogam would not stake any claim about its role in the victory of the front, he said.

Disciplinary action would be taken against the Yogam office-bearers who were working against its official stand in the Assembly elections. Certain specific instances including those in Varkala had come to the notice of the Yogam and action would be taken against those who violate the official decision.

Since the Yogam was a conglomeration of the leaders of various parties, it was not against such leaders contesting in their party ticket, but indiscipline of office-bearers would not be tolerated.

The Yogam had unanimously decided to support the LDF, Mr. Natesan said.

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