The Communist Party of India (CPI), the second-largest coalition partner in Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front, has announced the names of its candidates for four crucial seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls…reports Asian Lite News
With the CPI declaring Annie Raja its candidate from Kerala’s Wayanad, the Congress Wednesday said it is in alliance with the Left in different states but they have always and will continue to oppose each other electorally in Kerala.
The Congress’s assertion came after Annie Raja, wife of CPI general secretary D Raja, was nominated to contest from the pivotal Wayanad constituency, a seat presently held by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Asked about Annie Raja’s candidature, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told reporters, “The Left parties are very much part of the INDIA group. It has always been understood that this does not preclude group partners from contesting against each other in different states especially Kerala.”
“The Congress and the Left are allies in different states but in Kerala we have always and will continue to oppose each other electorally,” he asserted. Asked whether Rahul Gandhi would contest against her in Wayanad, Annie Raja had said the decision of each party is their prerogative and she cannot comment on anything based on speculation. The Congress party is yet to announce their candidate in the constituency.
The Communist Party of India (CPI), the second-largest coalition partner in Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front, has announced the names of its candidates for four crucial seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
On Monday, CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat said that the incumbent MP from Waynad Rahul Gandhi and the Congress should think about the Waynad seat.
“CPI has declared its candidate for the seat in Wayanad, Comrade Annie Raja, who has played a key role in ‘Mahila Andholan’. Now she will be the candidate from the side of the whole LDF. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress need to think, they say that their fight is against BJP. In Kerala, if you come and fight against Left, what message are you giving? So they need to think about their seat once again,” said CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat.
Earlier, Annie Raja said that in Kerala, the fight is between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), adding that the situation is the same and nothing has changed.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Monday announced candidates for four Kerala Lok Sabha seats, nominating senior party leader Annie Raja to contest from the Wayanad constituency, a seat presently held by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
“For such a long time, CPI – under the LDF alliance – is contesting on the four seats…This time also, the party has announced its candidates for all these four constituencies. In Kerala, the fight is between LDF and UDF. So, there is nothing new in that…The situation is the same, nothing has changed,” Raja said.
“Earlier in 2019, the CPI contested against Rahul Gandhi. We have been contesting elections from there for a very long time,” she added.
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