NEW DELHI, Apr 12
The mayor of the CPI(M)-led Thrissur Municipal Corporation in Kerala has caused a controversy by backing BJP candidate Suresh Gopi from the Thrissur seat for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Gopi, who is also a popular Malayalam actor, visited Thrissur Mayor M K Varghese at his chambers on Friday. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Varghese said, “Not just anyone can become an MP. A person should have certain qualities. Such a person should step into the public, should work for the people, and should stand with them. He should understand the requirements of the people. Suresh Gopi has all the qualities to become MP of Thrissur. He is fit to get elected.”
The comment comes at a time when Kerala’s ruling CPI(M) and Opposition Congress have been accusing each other of having an understanding with the BJP. Reacting to the mayor’s comments, K Muraleedharan, the Congress candidate from Thrissur, said it revealed the “nexus” between the CPI(M) and the BJP.
“The words of Mayor Varghese revealed the mind of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. There is a clear undercurrent between CPI(M) and BJP in Thrissur.
Sunil Kumar, who is contesting for the Left, should explain why he is contesting under the banner of the LDF (Left Democratic Front, the ruling alliance in the state).
If Left voters are keen to defeat BJP, they should come out in support of Congress,” he said. Thrissur is witnessing a triangular contest this time. The BJP has fielded Suresh Gopi, and the LDF has fielded former minister V S Sunil Kumar, a CPI leader.
