'Not taking CPI's criticism seriously, Congress does not want CPI-free Kerala'

KOCHI: Congress leader KC Venugopal said that he do not see CPI's criticism of the Wayanad by-election as a big deal. He also asked who else but the Congress is entitled to contest there when it won by more than 3.5 lakh votes.

KC Venugopal said that it is not only Congress's responsibility to follow the etiquette of the India front. 'CPI State Secretary Binoy Vishwam had stated that he will contest against Priyanka Gandhi in Wayanad. Let Benoy Vishwam fix CPI first. Congress does not want CPM to disappear. When it wins by more than three and a half lakh votes, who else but the Congress is eligible to contest there. We don't want a CPM-free Kerala like a Congress-free India. The problem affecting the CPM is that not even one person can speak openly in the party. That is why the party ranks are going ahead with their own decision'- said Venugopal.

At the same time, Binoy Vishwam had earlier responded that if the Left did not contest against Priyanka Gandhi, the anti-Congress votes would go to the BJP and he was contesting to prevent that. Binoy Vishwam announced the decision after the AICC leadership declared Priyanka Gandhi's candidature.