UDF to win 100 seats: KC Venugopal after Kerala polls
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Friday contended that despite an alleged “unholy political partnership” between the Left and the NDA, and the “widespread distribution of money” by the BJP, the UDF will win “comfortably.”
The Kerala Assembly polls were held on Thursday, with results for all 140 constituencies to be declared on May 4. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Venugopal, who is also the MP from the Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency, asserted that “clear instances of cash being offered for votes” and the distribution of kits by the BJP were seen in many parts of Kerala, including Palakkad and Thrissur.
He alleged that the BJP’s classification of certain constituencies as ‘A category’ meant they were seats earmarked for the distribution of money.
“The BJP spent huge amounts of money to get votes. On one side, there was the unholy political partnership between the Left and the NDA, and on the other, money. But the results will uphold the dignity of the voters in Kerala, who survived both,” he contended. The BJP has denied these allegations.
He also accused the CPI(M) of attempting fraudulent voting in Kannur and assaulting Congress workers in the northern Kerala district.
He dismissed reports of Congress workers assaulting CPI(M) activists, saying, “That is something new.”
The MP from Alappuzha said that the Congress and the UDF approached the elections professionally, with a positive outlook, a clear agenda, and a strong narrative. “We did not backtrack from our agenda and stood firm on it,” he said. Venugopal added that the “over-publicity” carried out by Pinarayi Vijayan using Government funds also worked in favour of the UDF.
He further said that the high voter turnout among women increased the UDF’s expectations, and asserted that the front would form a strong Government, as its members were united.
He also expressed confidence that, based on the polling percentage, the UDF would comfortably secure around 100 seats.
“We might even win seats that we have not accounted for,” he added.
Regarding speculation about the UDF’s chief ministerial candidate, Venugopal said that everyone in the Congress has the freedom to express their desire to become chief minister.
“There is nothing wrong with that. Do you think it is possible in the CPI(M)?” he asked.
