KOCHI: The UDF leadership has welcomed the decision of the Twenty20 and Aam Aadmi not to contest in Thrikkakkara. Welcoming the decision, opposition leader VD Satheesan said that the decision would ensure that anti-government votes do not get split.

"The UDF did not hold any kind of discussions with Twenty 20 and AAP. We do support the Kitex group's right to do business in Kerala. We had already declared our stance that business ventures functioning in Kerala should not be shifted out of the state. Other than that, there has been no discussion with Twenty20. It was the party that decided not to contest. The LDF had hoped to win the by-election by thinking that the anti-government votes would get split. With that hope getting dashed, they are alleging that the UDF has come to an understanding with other parties," Satheesan said.

"The CPM used the Kunnathunad MLA as an instrument to try to shut down Kitex. The UDF will not support it. We will not support the move to shut down an industry unnecessarily," Satheesan added.

"When PT Thomas contested in Thrikkakkara, Twenty20 had garnered some votes by fielding another candidate. PT Thomas had the impression that the Twenty20 fielded a candidate to defeat him. That was why he opposed Twenty20," he added.