INTERVIEW | For first time, Congress is displaying unity, says Chandy
4 min read
Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an unique interview to TNIE, senior Congress chief Oommen Chandy criticises the CPM for its try at communal polarisation. He feels Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ought to take everybody into confidence. People have a proper to know what Pinarayi and the CPM need to say on the Customs affidavit linking him within the greenback smuggling case. While rejecting allegations that Congress leaders will go to the BJP if the get together fails, Chandy additionally raised apprehensions over the Enforcement Directorate motion towards KIIFB. Excerpts.
Q: Has UDF seat-sharing reached a impasse with PJ Joseph’s adamant stand? Will Congress too go for recent faces? A: Seat-sharing talks are within the closing stage. We began early and reached a normal understanding. It’s not Joseph’s stubbornness. They are able to make compromises. The delay has not occurred due to variations in opinion. Congress was the primary to subject younger candidates in 1970 when seven of us, together with A Okay Antony and myself, contested. New faces, youth and ladies will get 50 per cent seats.
Q: For the primary time, the Congress has no authorities on the Centre or the state. How essential are these elections for the very existence of the get together? A: Apart from that, BJP is placing up an enormous struggle too. We strategy the elections realising these points. For the primary time, the Congress is displaying unity. This has given the UDF and the Congress the impetus to return to energy.
Q: Is there a hidden pact between BJP and CPM in order that the Left can retain energy and BJP improve its tally? A: Going by the developments, that can not be dominated out. The CPM agenda is to make sure a second time period and BJP needs to garner a couple of seats. Both wish to guarantee Congress’ defeat. But we’re assured individuals will rally behind Congress and we are going to emerge victorious. Instead of attempting to hoodwink individuals, we are going to tackle their points. Sabarimala was broadly mentioned in LS polls. We supported the devotees, and needed to guard customs and rituals. This has at all times been our strategy. We have by no means used Sabarimala for political benefit. The Left is making a slew of propaganda campaigns. You will need to have thought extremely of free kits. The UDF authorities had given free rice to BPL households. That too, not on the fag finish of the tenure. The Left is now taking dealing with fees from customers.
Q: There’s a normal feeling there will probably be an exodus of Congress leaders to BJP if the UDF doesn’t win. Even Okay Sudhakaran talked about it. A: Congress has by no means taken benefit of somebody’s weak spot or felt threatened. Congress doesn’t worry CPM or BJP. I don’t know below what context Sudhakaran stated that. Tell me, which chief went to BJP after the 2016 setback? Even when PM Modi has been ruling on the Centre with all energy and cash in addition to the central companies below him, the Congress in Kerala by no means misplaced a single day’s sleep.
Q: Didn’t Rahul Gandhi elevate issues on Congress MLAs going to BJP?A: He highlighted BJP’s despicable methods. After the 1984 LS election, BJP had simply two MPs. Did Congress clamour for a ‘BJP Mukt Bharat?’ In Pondicherry, the BJP toppled the federal government and democratic values have been trampled upon. Officials in different states inform me they really feel the distinction between Congress and BJP. In a democratic setup, all have a proper to protest. Look on the farmers’ protest. The PM has by no means bothered to carry talks with protestors.
Q: Do you assume the central companies are focusing on Pinarayi?A: It is Pinarayi who ought to reply to this. On the ED motion towards KIIFB, I’ve sure apprehensions. If the state authorities is correct within the KIIFB masala bond challenge, then I don’t endorse ED’s intervention. The LDF authorities ought to clarify that. We will stand by fact.
Q: Pinarayi started his innings as CM after assembly you at your residence. How do you fee his 5 years on a scale of 10?A: People ought to fee him, not a former chief minister. When I used to be CM, somebody had requested me what number of marks I might give myself. I stated zero.
Q: So are you giving zero to Pinarayi?A: Not in any respect. He ought to hearken to others and take them into confidence.
Q: Has there been a deliberate transfer to brandish the communal card?A: The CPM unleashed the communal card, which is absolutely unlucky. They needed to appropriate their very own secretary in-charge. The Congress management had visited Panakkad quite a few instances and that is the primary time they made such an allegation. Why did that occur now? They needed to create communal polarisation.
Q: Contrary to the same old follow of Opposition chief getting prominence, the main focus has shifted to you.A: That’s incorrect. The election coordination is being performed collectively. I’ve been attempting to convey everybody collectively and lead the election.
