UDF in disarray, CM under RSS pressure, says M.V. Govindan

CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan has alleged that the United Democratic Front (UDF) is facing serious internal differences and that the Congress is deeply divided.

Speaking about the ongoing differences within the UDF, Mr. Govindan said even UDF convener had publicly raised complaints. He claimed that most UDF leaders were in support of UDF convener Adoor Prakash while only a smaller section backed Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.

Mr. Govindan said UDF leaders themselves had admitted that there was no proper consultation within the front. He alleged that important decisions were being taken without discussions either within the Congress or the UDF.

He also accused Mr. Satheesan of yielding to pressure from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

On the Kanhangad incident in which a Minister was shown black flags, Mr. Govindan alleged that RSS-BJP workers were booked under bailable sections, while DYFI and SFI workers faced non-bailable charges.

Mr. Govindan also targeted the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), alleging that the party had surrendered before the RSS. He cited Local Administration Minister K.M. Shaji’s stand in a recent controversy as an example.

The CPI(M) State secretary also criticised the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s investigation into the Karuvannur case. He alleged that the agency pressured accused persons to give statements against CPI(M) leaders and offered to make them approvers.

In the CMRL-Exalogic case, Mr. Govindan alleged that the ED had tried to implicate former PWD Minister Mohammed Riyas by linking him to alleged hawala transactions. He said the attempt had failed.

He further claimed that no investigation was conducted despite Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty admitting that they had received money from Shashidharan Kartha.

Mr. Govindan alleged that the investigations and other actions were part of efforts targeting the Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M).