KOCHI: Radhakrishnan, a CPM central committee member, is camping in Chelakkara to strategise the party’s campaign for U R Pradeep. In an interview with TNIE, Radhakrishnan, whose win in the Alathur Lok Sabha election necessitated the bypoll in Chelakkara, says the voters have benefited in terms of better roads, power connection and welfare measures in the constituency where the CPM has not lost since 1996.
What are your observations on the Chelakkara bypoll?
The conditions in Chelakkara are favourable to the LDF. Alathur elected a Left candidate even when the 2024 Lok Sabha results were against us. I had a majority in the Chelakkara assembly constituency too. Also, Chelakkara residents are aware of the improvements we have brought about.
When I first won an election, in 1996, the goal was to upgrade infrastructure. Electricity was inaccessible. We raised funds to electrify the constituency. Better roads and bridges have been built, along with a number of hospitals, schools, and colleges. We have explored all possibilities to provide basic amenities, though there were limitations. The social status of people has improved.
Voters seem to be unhappy that you vacated the constituency...
Whether we should be an MLA, MP, or a minister is decided by the party. I was elected to the assembly four times and served as the speaker for a term and a minister for another. The party central committee decided to send more Left-leaning MPs to the parliament this time. The voters miss me because they know how I worked among them. I may not be their MLA, but as their MP, I’m always available to them. Moreover, Chelakkara is my hometown.
Will Chelakkara get another minister if CPM wins?
That will depend on the situation after the election. We don’t pre-decide anything.
It seems the BJP is creating a strong base in Chelakkara though their campaigns...
Professionals are now involved in political campaigns. It involves a lot of money. They intend to mislead voters. We know what is happening in Palakkad and Kodakara, and we have observed how opportunities were tapped to make non-political individuals constituency representatives. We can’t claim these strategies don’t affect election results. There are attempts to change the election trend. The issue is that people are easily influenced by right-wing ideas. However, ideologically driven Left-wing ideas will withstand them. People have seen our work.
DMK Kerala, formed by MLA P V Anwar, is also active here...
Their campaigns are biased and intend to demoralise the Left government and the CM. These publicity stunts and campaigns are merely for existence and have no connection to reality.
Your thoughts on the developments in Palakkad...
Results in Palakkad have been reversed in the past. The Left won there in 1996 and 2006. Last time, the minority communities voted for the UDF out of the fear that BJP would win. The UDF campaign continues to claim that BJP cannot be defeated by a third-placed party. Sarin (LDF candidate) was a Congress worker. He has roots here. With Sarin’s work, and support from the Left, the narrative has shifted from the LDF finishing third to winning the election.