Home India Politics Congress in Kerala says it’s ready for early polls

Congress in Kerala says it’s ready for early polls

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram : The Congress party in Kerala seems upbeat over the prospect of early parliamentary elections as the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in the state is currently riddled with factionalism and there are inter-party problems within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) as well.

“We have no problems at all and we are ready for a poll anytime,” said state Congress president Ramesh Chennithala.

The central Congress leadership has summoned Chennithala, former chief minister Oommen Chandy and P.P. Thankachen, chairman of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to New Delhi for discussions.

The LDF had swamped the May 2004 polls in the state, with the UDF managing just one of the 20 Lok Sabha seats. The debacle led to the resignation of then chief minister A.K. Antony.

Explaining the reason for the upbeat mood in the Congress camp, Chandy told IANS: “The biggest enemy of (Chief Minister V.S.) Achuthanandan is the stand that he had taken when he was leader of opposition (2001-06).

“Then he played to the gallery and people expected that he would practice what he preached but in 16 months he has left everyone high and dry, failing in every respect.

“In case there is an election, Achuthanandan’s performance would be a yardstick and that is going to be our strong point and we are no doubt on a winning wicket,” Chandy remarked.

India appears headed for early elections with the Congress-led government and the communists who provide crucial support failing to break the stalemate over the contentious India-US civilian nuclear deal.