AK Antony slams BJP a poor third

KOCHI: The UDF’s State-level convention for local council elections kicked off here on Tuesday, with a galaxy of leaders, led by senior Congress leader A K Antony, naming BJP and prospective allies a poor third at the hustings and daring the opposition LDF to a direct fight for the sweepstakes spread over 21,871 seats in three-tier panchayats, municipalities and corporations.

Mr Antony picked on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and collaborator Amit Shah. “Modi, despite his busy schedule, has constituted a cell to monitor developments in Kerala... trying to conquer Kerala which is known for its communal harmony. They are trying to disfigure the beautiful face of Kerala,” said Mr Antony.

The Modi-Shah combine played divisive political for electoral gains. But their game plan would not succeed in Kerala.

“They are mistaken if they think the one-off vote surge for Mr O.Rajagopal in Aruvikkara by-election is a pointer to better times”.

On frequent visits to Kerala by saffron leaders, including VHP's Ashok Singhal and Shah, Mr Antony alleged it was to sow seeds of communalism. He urged UDF workers to give a fitting reply to saffron outfits in the local body polls.

Condemning the Dadri lynching, he said a poor man was killed over rumours of beef consumption.

India under Modi had moved away from principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

"Communal polarisation is the agenda of the Modi government.... we must check it because it is a threat," Mr Antony said, hinting at the BJP-SNDP bon homie.   

Mr Antony called for a moratorium on airing of organisational grievances in public till after the assembly polls.

“These polls are semi-finals and the finals are six months away. The UDF Government can buck the trend and return to power, based on its good work. But put up good candidates now,” he said.

KPCC president V M Sudheeran said the newfound allies’ talk of secularism was akin to a butcher preaching ahimsa.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the NDA faced reverses because of the contradiction between its words and deeds.  

IUML state president Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal, Kerala Congress (M) chairman K. M. Mani and home minister Ramesh Chennithala attended.