: Minister for Home Ramesh Chennithala said here on Saturday that the United Democratic Front (UDF) does not need any “clearance certificate” from CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan in its fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Addressing a meet-the-press programme at the Malappuram Press Club, Mr. Chennithala said the BJP was more dangerous than the CPI(M) and the Congress would take the lead to form a national alternative against the BJP.
“The BJPs communal agenda would not sell in Kerala. The UDF would not allow the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and its allied forces to corrupt the mind of Kerala,” he said. Mr. Chennithala described actor Suresh Gopi as a good man in bad company.
Mr. Chennithala said the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) played a vital role in upholding secularism and countering the poison spread by the BJP.
CPI(M) stance flayed
Staff Reporter adds from Kalpetta: Mr. Chennithala said the stand of the CPI(M) on liquor policy was quite opportunistic.
Talking to mediapersons here on Monday, Mr. Chennithala said the strong liquor lobby of the State could influence even the CPI(M) Polit Bureau and the recent statement of CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury that the liquor policy would be amended on the basis of consumption of liquor in the State proved that. Mr. Yechury had welcomed the liquor policy of the State earlier and the sudden change in the decision was because of the alliance with the liquor lobby, Mr. Chennithala added.
The lobby had already conspired with the CPI(M) to weaken the UDF and the public would easily identify it. The UDF would not dilute the liquor policy and would stick to its decision, Mr. Chennithala said.