THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The victory in the bypoll has thrust an added responsibility upon the UDF for good governance and delivery mechanisms on a much larger scale, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Tuesday.
He claimed that the mandate also indicates that there should be a continuation of the UDF government in the state.
Addressing a joint press conference with ministers’ P K Kunhalikutty (IUML), K M Mani (KC-M), Shibu Baby John (RSP), Anoop Jacob(KC-J) and M V Sreyams Kumar MLA (JDU), the Chief Minister said the UDF had sought votes on a truly positive political line, based on development and care. “But the LDF was only keen to follow negativism and raise baseless allegations. Had the people got convinced even 1 per cent of the Opposition charges, what would have been the results?, Chandy asked.
“The CPM only wants bomb and murder politics. They don’t realise that the people are peace-loving,” he opined and wondered how the Left were able to oppose the dream Vizhinjam project during a campaign course.
He also took strong exception to the charge made by CPM secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan that the Aruvikkara bypoll was won by flowing liquor and money.”
The Opposition has not learnt any lessons even now. The remarks of Kodiyeri and VS are an insult to the people of Aruvikkara, he asked reporters. On the meteoric rise in BJP votes in Aruvikkara, the Chief Minister said it would not become a trend across the state. “When a senior leader of the stature of Rajagopal is contesting, it is bound to increase. Had it not happened in the LS polls in the Thiruvananthapuram segment?” he asked. On the prospect of the UDF pitted against both the LDF and BJP would not make things difficult for it, Chandy rejected the contention.
Good Work our USP
“The UDF politics is not based on what other political parties are doing. The government is united and our selling point is the good work we are doing for the people regard to comprehensive development of the state and taking care of all needy sections of society,” he said.
However, Chandy said that it is for the CPM to find ways to address the threat posed by the BJP to them. “We would like the LDF to remain as the main Opposition, even if we want to win elections,” he remarked.
Homage to Karthikeyan
The Chief Minister termed the Aruvikkara victory as a homage of the electorate to the late G Karthikeyan, who had served them for 24 years.