Aruvikkara poll results: Veekshanam editorial invites CPI to join UDF

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress mouthpiece Veekshanam Thursday carried an editorial inviting the Communist Party of India (CPI), the second biggest LDF constituent, to the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the wake of the Aruvikkara poll results.

“Aruvikkara election result has sent a clear message that the LDF is a sinking ship. It is better to escape from the LDF for those who want to save their lives,” the editorial said.

The LDF had faced a humbling defeat in the recently held Aruvikkara by-election.

A day before the outcome of the Aruvikkara Assembly by-election, CPI(M) State unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had said that the anti-government votes had got split between the LDF and the BJP in the constituency.

Soon after the election results, Opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan, who was the star campaigner for the Left and whose rallies drew massive crowds, accused the Congress of abuse of power during the campaign.

"Minority appeasement and the ground covered by the BJP also helped the Congress victory," said the former chief minister.

CPI(M) politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan added that the Congress "misused office to win this election. This loss will help us to regroup and work harder for the coming local body elections this year".