The usually diplomatic CPI state secretary C.K. Chandrappan turned candid on Tuesday and explained that the Left Democratic Front was not projecting a chief ministerial candidate to avoid political embarrassment.
“What if we project a candidate and he gets defeated in the polls”, asked Mr Chandrappan, while taking part in a meet the press programme here.
However, he hurried to add that he was not in any manner predicting the de-feat of Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan in Malampuzha. “I haven’t said anything like that,” he said.
The CPI leader said he was making a general comment on the issue and reporters must not interpret it in the current context.
“Left parties usually seek people’s mandate by projecting the achievements and programmes of its government and not that of any individual,” he said. “The Chief Minister, being the head of the government, of course becomes a symbol.”
When asked whether CPI(M) decision to field Mr Achuthanandan has had any impact , the CPI leader said that the political situation four months ago was different.
“The setback in local body elections helped us learn from our mistakes,” he said. “Now the LDF, as a united political entity, has been able to reach out the people at the grassroots.”
The veteran CPI leader also said that the Opposition UDF was in complete disarray.