‘V D Satheesan’s stand against accepting SDPI votes suspicious; to benefit BJP’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SDPI state president C P A Latheef said the ultimate beneficiaries of opposition leader V D Satheesan's stand against accepting SDPI votes are the BJP in Kerala. The opposition leader had already announced that they don’t need the votes of the SDPI. This is not considered as his new stand. He had refused support after reaching an agreement with the Congress in the last Lok Sabha elections. Latheef pointed that Satheesan had taken such a stand even when the president election was held after the local body elections.

Satheesan's stand benefited the BJP in the panchayat elections. Even if it was in the panchayat, it was a step of handing the post of panchayat president to the BJP on a platter. The beneficiaries of his statement now are also the BJP.

The reason for SDPI's withdrawal of candidacy in Manjeswaram was pressure from the public. It includes various religious organizations, political party representatives, and social leaders in Kerala. Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said that if SDPI contests in Manjeswaram, secular votes will be divided. Satheesan said the opposite of this. The question is whether this is the policy of the Congress.

K C Venugopal said the other day that they will accept anyone's vote, not just SDPI. It is doubtful whether Satheesan is above the AICC General Secretary in the Congress's stand. V D Satheesan's interest is suspicious. If we evaluate the local elections, it is clear that the UDF has an upper hand in the elections. In the wake of it, the UDF leaders also claim that they will come to power. In that case, the chances for the chief ministerial post will go to K C Venugopal. If that does not happen, the UDF must get a small majority. Satheesan is trying to reduce the seats of the Congress and the UDF.

Satheesan's statement in various constituencies including Manjeswaram will lead to a significant decrease in votes and UDF will lose. Saying no to the votes of a political party that has votes in all constituencies in Kerala is to reduce their own chances of victory. SDPI is contesting in 36 seats,’ clarified Latheef.