Cong's 'arrogance' in Rajasthan will split anti-BJP votes: CPM leader Hannan Mollah

The Congress' "arrogance" in going alone in the upcoming Rajasthan assembly elections would lead to a split in anti-BJP votes in the state, CPI (M)'s state in charge Hannan Mollah claimed on Monday.

Mollah cautioned the Congress that despite the Vasundhara Raje government's "unpopularity", the opposition party might not be able to take advantage of it in the polls.

"The BSP wanted an alliance with the Congress in Rajasthan but the grand old party was so arrogant that it declined joining hands with any political party.

"The BSP is a growing political force in Rajasthan. It has six to seven per cent of total votes in the state. Now Mayawati has decided to go it alone in the poll. It will split anti-BJP votes. The Congress will have to pay price for its arrogance," Mollah told PTI in an interview.

Mollah, who was recently in the desert state as part of preparations for the December 7 Assembly polls, attacked the Raje government, accusing it of adopting anti-rural policies.

"Rural distress in Rajasthan under Raje regime makes the BJP most unpopular party. There is anger of rural masses against Raje and the BJP," Mollah claimed.

To defeat the BJP in Rajasthan, the CPI(M) has formed a seven-party alliance named the Lok Tantrik Morcha (LTM), he said.

"We also wanted to avoid splitting of anti-BJP votes but the Congress is arrogant to go it all alone in Rajasthan state election. The CPI(M) and CPI will both contest in 29 seats each. Other LTM constituent parties will also contest", said Mollah.

He also accused the Congress of not playing an effective opposition in Rajasthan and claimed that only Left political parties had raised their voice against Raje government's policies.

"Because of our protests across the states, Raje government was compelled to withdraw electricity charge on farming activities.

"The water crisis in agriculture in two districts of Shri Ganga Nagar and Bikaner was solved to some extent because of our agitation against the state BJPO government," claimed Mollah, who is also the chief of All India Kisan Sabha ( AIKS) -- the Left affiliated farmers organisation.

The CPI (M) had three MLAs in the 2008 Rajasthan Assembly but drew a blank in the last assembly elections in 2013.