Row keeps Kerala BJP on the back foot

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the UDF is holding its election convention in Chengannur on Thursday, the NDA remains in a quandary. BJP which leads the NDA is yet to settle the issues with the BDJS, its second largest partner.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had addressed LDF’s convention on Tuesday launching a blistering attack on the BJP.

He accused the BJP of practising ‘communal politics’ with an aggressive neo-liberal agenda, and the UDF providing fodder. There was also good attendance, but the UDF camp is not worried.

DCC president M. Liju said it's a political fight against the poor governance and murder politic of the rivals. “Compared to CPM’s Saji Cherian, our candidate D. Vijayakumar is a diamond," he told DC.

"We are confident voters will consider his merits. The initial euphoria in the BJP camp has faded after his entry."

UDF top brass including Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala and M. M. Hassan will be attending the convention at 4 pm.

Mr Vijayakumar feels his opponents are "bigwigs with fat purses" of power.

BJP leaders are camping in New Delhi to hold talks with party president Amit Shah. They could not meet him on Wednesday as he was busy on poll-bound Karnataka where Congress Rahul Gandhi is on a blistering campaign.

“NDA’s election convention will be held only next week. By then the issues between BDJS and BJP will be sorted out,” a senior BJP leader said.