Chengannur model fell flat: Benny Behanan

Kochi: UDF convener Benny Behanan who came victorious in Chalakkudy Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday said that the Chengannur bypoll model which CPM and Pinarayi Vijayan successfully experimented previously has fallen flat in the Parliament election that just got over.

Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press Club, he said that the verdict was a befitting reply to CPM’s attempts to divide people as upper and lower castes. “The poll success was not the result of the polarisation of a particular community, but the polarisation of the whole society in favour of UDF,” he said.

Benny said that CPM tried to politicse Sabari-mala issue while BJP tried to give it a communal colour. “The verdict proved that the line toed by the UDF was right. CPM tried to confront faith with non-faith. In north Kerala, the aversion of the people to CPM’s brand of murder politics came handy for UDF,” said Benny adding the post violent incidents show that CPM has not learnt its lessons.

He asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to clarify whether he still stands by his pre-poll stand that the Lok Sabha election would also be a referendum on his government.

“Pinarayi Vijayan should decide whether it would be good to resign as Chief Minister taking moral responsibility for the defeat. This is the land where a Chief Minister resigned after his front was defeated in 18 seats,” Benny said.