2 months ago
1
After serving arsenic Governor of Mizoram and Goa, and with your tenure present over, bash you program to instrumentality to progressive oregon electoral authorities soon?
I person not retired from authorities and stay precise active. However, contempt unit from the enactment and others to contention from the Chengannur Assembly constituency, I chose not to participate electoral authorities this time. I judge it is not a bully precedent for Governors to instrumentality up positions instantly aft demitting office. Though I person a beardown accidental of winning from Chengannur—having secured 42,600 votes successful 2016 and enjoying wide assemblage support—I decided against contesting. The lack of a pension for Governors besides means I similar to stay autarkic alternatively than trust connected the party.
Ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections, portion you were the Mizoram Governor, determination were reports that you explored contesting from Chengannur. What really transpired?
At that time, determination was nary specified connection and I was not consenting either. I person ne'er sought immoderate station oregon position. The enactment has been benignant capable to springiness maine everything.
The Congress alleges a covert CPI(M)–BJP knowing for the upcoming polls, portion the CPI(M) calls Congress a “feeder organisation” for the BJP successful Kerala. How bash you respond?
Both are making allegations of immoderate benignant of woody involving the BJP/NDA/RSS. The Chief Minister denies immoderate knowing and claims that the CPI(M) has ever treated the RSS arsenic untouchable, but that is simply a Himalayan prevarication erstwhile viewed against past governmental realities. Can helium contradict the information that RSS and BJP (then portion of the Janata party) members worked for him successful the 1977 elections? RSS pracharak K.G. Marar contested from Uduma successful 1977, and his predetermination committee convener was a CPI(M) country secretary. The UDF, too, has had instances of electoral practice with RSS/BJP-linked figures. O. Rajagopal, different RSS pracharak who contested from Kasaragod successful 1980, was supported by the UDF and IUML person Cherkalam Abdullah was his predetermination committee convener. What we are witnessing present is simply a wide displacement successful strategy by some the LDF and the UDF. They person mostly acceptable speech their communal accusations and are alternatively focusing their attacks connected the BJP, reflecting their interest implicit its increasing influence.
How bash you measure the BJP-led NDA’s prospects successful the April 9 polls?
The BJP-led NDA successful Kerala is good positioned for a beardown performance, with the beforehand emerging arsenic a formidable force. People similar Narendra Modi and progressively spot the BJP arsenic a viable, winning enactment successful the State. This displacement was evident successful past year’s three-tier section assemblage polls. With the close strategy, we are hopeful of a important alteration successful the upcoming elections.
