Criticisms have come up against Kerala’s CPI(M)-led Opposition lDF and the Congress-headed UDF Government to the effect that the events that led to the withdrawal on Tuesday of the leftist siege of the Secretariat was the result of a ‘secret understanding’ reached at between the two sides.
A section of the media had on Monday itself said that there was a secret pact between the Government and the Opposition by which both sides would have their victories. Some analysts had even forecast that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would announce a judicial probe by Tuesday on the basis of which the Opposition would lift the blockade.
Asked about this during his Press conference on Tuesday, Chandy said there was no such deal. However, reports suggested that the siege was called off as per an understanding reached with the Opposition as a result of reconciliation talks held by a senior leader of a constituent party of the Congress-led ruling UDF.
Terming as shameful, the withdrawal of the leftist blockade, the Kerala BJP wanted the lDF leaders to apologise to the people and activists for betraying them. “Though the announcement of the truce came on Tuesday, it was according to a script written two days back,” State BJP president V Muraleedharan said.
“Both sides should tell the people what the condition of this truce wasIJ Was it any assurance of soft approach from the part of the Government to the case of murder of (Marxist rebel) TP Chandrasekharan or any offer of help in the SNC lavalin corruption case (in which State CPI(M) secretary Pinarayi Vijayan is seventh accused)IJ” he asked.
“This truce is in tune with many similar events that have taken place in Kerala (in matters relating to the UDF and lDF),” Muraleedharan said, adding that his party would hold protest marches demanding inclusion of the role played by the Chief Minister and his office in the solar scam in the judicial probe announced on Tuesday.