Kerala assembly polls: M A Baby refutes Congress claims of CPM-BJP deal

KOTTAYAM: CPM general secretary MA Baby refuted Congress leaders' allegations that CPM and BJP had struck a deal for assembly polls. He said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's accusations go against the common perspective of INDI alliance formed to oppose BJP. Parties in this alliance should not compete against each other as that would benefit BJP. Kharge and Rahul are taking a contrary stance, while CPM aims to strengthen the INDI alliance, he said, adding that Rahul is again making baseless statements.There are ongoing demands to arrest a CM from INDI alliance based on fake allegations. BJP-CPM deal is a false accusation. In Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, Congress helped BJP grow. Congress also contributed to AAP losing power in Delhi. There are several examples of BJP-Congress relations in Kerala. In 2016, Congress helped BJP open its account in Nemom and CPM closed it in 2021. In recent local elections, BJP and Congress joined hands to oust CPM in Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram corporations, said Baby, recalling the old Co-Le-B alliance. Responding to questions about phrases used by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in recent days, Baby said everyone has their own style. The person who raised a question in the public meeting has also clarified. There is a need for a consistent style of interaction with the people. Sometimes, the style of functioning must change to incorporate criticisms, he said.Vijayan is being targeted. He is the CM who protected Kerala during floods and Covid-19. Though communists do not believe in God, his rise to leadership in challenging times shows that God has faith in communists, said Baby, quoting Metropolitan (late) Philipose Mar Chrysostom.Baby said there should be a discussion on what LDF govt achieved over the past 10 years, highlighting improvements in the health sector. "Errors in health sector are a global phenomenon. Compared to this, issues in Kerala are minimal as health experts have said. Those in the sector must operate flawlessly. Mistakes should not occur in any manner, he said.Govt hospitals have improved significantly. Organ transplants can now be performed and cardiac treatment is available in rural areas, saving many lives, he added.