Kerala win will bolster Congress in South: Satheesan
The 61-year-old Congress leader, a five-time MLA from Paravoor in Ernakulam district, told ET that he expects the UDF to win more than 100 seats in the 140-member assembly and return to power. Satheesan, who is considered a front-runner for the CM’s post in case of UDF victory, dismissed reports of factionalism within the Congress while claiming that the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) was grappling with internal disputes “due to (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan’s authoritarian style”. On the leadership issue, he said the All India Congress Committee will take the final call if the party secures majority following due process. “If we don’t win, I will walk away from politics,” he said.
Alleging that there was a tacit agreement between the LDF and the BJP in certain constituencies to prevent the Congress from coming to power, he alleged that “10-25 seats were aligned” and this triggered protests against senior leaders in both camps. Satheesan criticized Vijayan for his comments against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling them “unfair” and aimed at currying favor with the BJP. He also alleged that central institutions were less active in Kerala than other non-BJP-ruled states due to Vijayan’s political acceptance of the BJP.
On the economy, he said Kerala was under high debt burden but maintained that UDF’s poll guarantees were financially viable.
