Kozhikode (Kerala), Apr 12 (PTI) CPI(M) leader and Kerala PWD Minister P A Mohammed Riyas on Sunday accused the UDF leaders of attempting to “raise funds” by creating a false impression that they would form a government in the state after the Assembly poll results, which will be declared on May 4.
Speaking to reporters here, Riyas said the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) would retain power in the state.
Riyas, who contested from the Beypore constituency in Kozhikode district in the April 9 Assembly polls seeking a second consecutive term, said the election largely revolved around development issues.
He noted that voters compared the previous UDF government’s tenure from 2011 to 2016 with the past 10 years of LDF administration.
“Kerala will not go back to darkness any more,” he said.
Taking a dig at the opposition, the minister alleged that the UDF leaders were projecting themselves as a ruling front in order to mobilise funds till May 4.
“They claim that they are coming back to power and collecting funds. The UDF may get more funds during this period than what the LDF collected through organisational activities over the past 10 years,” he alleged.
Riyas, son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, further claimed that such assertions were aimed at creating a perception that the UDF was on the verge of returning to power.
He also rejected the UDF’s contention of minority consolidation in the polls, stating that the LDF government’s stance against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposal of a Nativity Card had helped it secure support from all sections of society and secular-minded voters. PTI LGK KH
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