MALAPPURAM: Paloli Mohammed Kutty, who was the popular face of CPM in Malabar, is on his 90th birthday. He started decentralization of power, public planning and Kudumbashree while he was a minister and came to the Legislative Assembly from Mankada in 1965. He became the Malappuram district secretary of the party in 1969, was the president of the Farmers Association for 15 years and was a CPM Central and State Committee Member. He was Minister of the LSG Department in 1996 and 2006. He is living his retirement life at his daughter's home in Sreekrishnapuram Kulikkiliyad, Palakkad. His words to Kerala Kaumudi

Chances of CPM and Front in elections?

This is not the political climate of the last Lok Sabha elections. The party will make great progress. The central government is taking the country to a dangerous situation. The activities of the Left government in Kerala are positive factors.

Will there be cooperation with the Muslim League?

CPM cannot agree with the League's position. Did you not see Sadiq Ali Thangal's statement on the Babri Masjid issue? When the Babri Masjid was demolished, the then-president of the League, Ibrahim Sulaiman Seth, announced that they would no longer be associated with the Congress, which had committed a gross betrayal. The very next day, Kunhalikutty offered strong support to the Congress. The position of the league is clear from all this. League is a party that formed Pakistan demanding a separate nation. Mohammed Abdur Rahiman Sahib had warned that Muslims had better align themselves with India or live as second-class citizens. Today they are fourth-class citizens in North India. How can League be brought to LDF? Even if the Congress relationship is ended, it is not possible. The earlier electoral understanding with the League was not a political get-together. It was a temporary situation. CPM is not ready for such an alliance.

Congress is accusing of colluding with the BJP

They are not saying that because they have the slightest doubt. Congress has become a party that does not hesitate to say anything for the sake of votes. The main enemy of BJP is CPM. Although Congress is indeed present in many states of India and CPM not so much, BJP sees CPM as its political enemy.

Are you leading a retirement life?

I attend party events in places where I don't have to travel much. I intervene in all necessary matters.