Thiruvananthapuram | Congress leader K Muraleedharan, contesting the April 9 Assembly elections, on Thursday alleged that there is a CPI(M)-BJP "deal" in the Vattiyoorkavu constituency, a claim rejected by rival candidates.
Speaking to the media, Muraleedharan said that despite the BJP projecting Vattiyoorkavu as an "A Class" constituency, there is no intense campaign activity on the ground.
"That indicates there is a silent understanding taking place. Not just that, some BJP leaders have said they will take revenge for their defeat in the Nemom constituency in the last election," he said.
Muraleedharan had contested from Nemom in 2021, where CPI(M) leader V Sivankutty defeated BJP's Kummanam Rajasekharan.
He further alleged that some BJP councillors in Thiruvananthapuram are seeking votes for CPI(M) sitting MLA V K Prasanth.
"All these are part of a deal. But we are not worried. If 10 BJP votes go to the LDF, we will get 20 LDF votes," he said.
He added that BJP candidate R Sreelekha might not be aware of the alleged understanding, but claimed that "backstage movements" are happening.
"Some BJP leaders are even saying it openly. But we will recapture Vattiyoorkavu," he said.
Muraleedharan had won from Vattiyoorkavu in 2011 and 2016 before contesting from the Vadakara constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Sreelekha dismissed the allegation, saying it did not merit a response.
"It is a completely false allegation. I am running my campaign my own way. Why should we respond to such claims?" she asked.
Meanwhile, Prasanth countered Muraleedharan's charge, alleging that it is the UDF that is supporting the BJP in the constituency.
"Muraleedharan has realised that he cannot win here and has admitted defeat. The LDF won the constituency in 2021 and in the 2019 bypoll without any deal, securing votes from both BJP and Congress supporters," he said.
He also alleged that the Congress has entered into understandings with the BJP in other constituencies, including Thrissur.
He said both the Congress and BJP have fielded strong candidates, while asserting that the LDF's only "deal" is with the voters, not with any political front.
