Byelection not to assess govt: G Sudhakaran

MALAPPURAM: Works G. Sudhakaran on Monday contradicted the CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s statement that Malappuram Lok Sabha byelection will be a referendum on the LDF government. Campaigning for the LDF candidate M.B. Faisal in Vallikkunnu, he said the government had not decided to take it that way. Mr Sudhakaran also alleged that Congress party was helping the BJP to defeat UDF candidate P.K. Kunhalikutty.

He said Mr Faisal was a competent  candidate who can take on bigwigs. Earlier LDF convener Vaikom Viswan had also played down Mr Balakrishnan’s statement. The final phase of the LDF's electioneering will see Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressing meetings on Thursday and Friday. CPM veteran V.S Achuthanandan is also coming on a two-day campaign on Saturday.