Jaipur, Mar 30 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Monday expressed confidence that the United Democratic Front will form the government in Kerala, where Assembly elections are due on April 9.
Speaking to reporters here before leaving for the southern state, Gehlot said Kerala has traditionally witnessed an alternation of power between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) over the past several decades.
While the Congress could not form the government (in Kerala) on its own last time despite a good performance, electoral outcomes are part of the democratic process, Gehlot said.
The Congress is the main constituent of the UDF, which includes various regional outfits, such as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Kerala Congress factions, among others.
The former Rajasthan chief minister also said the Congress is hopeful of a favourable mandate in Kerala this time, where election results will be declared on May 4.
Asked about Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s allegation that Congress has adopted a “soft Hindutva” stance, Gehlot dismissed the charge, saying such statements were expected from Communist Party leaders.
Gehlot also alleged that central agencies such as the ED, Income-Tax and the CBI are being misused, and claimed that there is pressure even on the judiciary.
“The current atmosphere in the country is a matter of concern for democratic institutions,” the Congress veteran said. PTI AG ARI
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