‘Congress worked with Janata Party controlled by RSS'; Swaraj responds to controversy

NILAMBUR: M Swaraj, the LDF candidate of Nilambur, gave a clarification on CPM state secretary M V Govindan’s statement that the Left Front had joined hands with the RSS. Swaraj responded to the media after Govindan's statement stoked a controversy. He clarified that the Left had worked with the Janata Party. However, when it came to light that the Janata Party was controlled by the RSS, former chief minister EMS Namboothiripad made a historic announcement, added Swaraj.

‘The Left had worked with the Janata Party. However, when the assembly elections came, allegations arose that the Janata Party was controlled by the RSS, and EMS Namboothiripad made a historic announcement. He said that they don’t need the votes of the RSS. Later, it was Congress that collaborated with the Janata Party, which was controlled by the RSS. The Left has always opposed communalism and upheld secularism,' M Swaraj clarified. Govindan had said the other day that the Left had joined hands with the RSS during the Emergency. Govindan's response was that the Emergency was in the style of semi-fascism and there was no need to look at anything else and he agreed with those who agreed.

Meantime, there is a silent campaign today in the Nilambur constituency, where the by-election is to be held tomorrow. The statement of AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal terming the welfare pensions an election bribe had sparked a controversy. M Swaraj and the LDF used this as their weapon in Nilambur this time.

The LDF is assessing that the last-minute contest was made unpredictable through the campaign led directly by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The CPM also estimates that the position will be more secure if the UDF's Welfare Party and Jamaat-e-Islami alliance influence the majority and Christian communities. The UDF believes that Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath will get a majority of between 10,000 and 15,000. There are seven panchayats and one municipality in the constituency. The UDF estimates that it will be able to gain control of the five panchayats that are under administration.