Political storm in Kerala: Deal allegations ignite campaign

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A series of explosive allegations by Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan regarding a suspected CPM-BJP deal has fundamentally shifted the momentum of the current election campaign. The claims have sparked a fierce war of words between Kerala’s three major political fronts.

Allegations

Satheesan specifically alleged that a secret understanding exists between the CPM and BJP in ten constituencies. He publicly named five of these locations, specifically highlighting Kasaragod, Manjeswaram, Palakkad, Ranni, and Konni.

Satheesan questioned the strategic logic of the NDA’s candidate selection, noting that the Konni seat—where K. Surendran secured 32,000 votes in the previous election—was handed over to the BDJS. Similarly, he pointed out that the Ranni seat, which encompasses Sabarimala, was ceded to Twenty20.

"The NDA candidate’s statement that the Sabarimala issue will not be raised and that the government committed no lapses is proof of a mutual arrangement to facilitate wins for each other," Satheesan alleged.

Chief Minister’s Retort

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hit back by invoking the ghost of the "CoLeBi" (Congress-League-BJP) alliance. He dismissed the allegations, asserting that the Congress has a history of unprincipled alliances. Regarding the Nemom Precedent, Vijayan claimed the BJP opened its account in Nemom in 2016 through a deal with Congress. He also reminded voters of past instances where the RSS openly claimed to have supported Congress in 41 constituencies.

Leaders Clash

The controversy has drawn sharp reactions from across the spectrum. BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused both Congress and CPM of playing a "deal drama" to secure communal vote banks, calling the Congress "shameless" for trying to divert public attention.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that candidate changes in Palakkad and Ettumanoor are part of a "secret understanding" between Modi, Amit Shah, and Pinarayi Vijayan specifically designed to destroy the UDF. Finally, Twenty20 President Sabu Jacob dismissed the claims as "fear-mongering," suggesting Congress is panicked about losing its grip on Ernakulam following Twenty20’s collaboration with the BJP.