Kerala assembly polls: CPI(M) assails PM Modi for his Somalia remarks

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Kerala-Somalia comparison, the CPI-M here today said situation in the state did not become like the African country because BJP never came to power here.

"Modi's statement would result in a setback to BJP in the ensuing polls as it has insulted the people of the state," CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said.

Referring to Modi's Somalia remarks, Balakrishnan said "one thing the Prime Minister should understand is that the state has no such situation as in Somalia because, BJP has never come to power".

He said "Gujarat Model" development projected by the BJP was actually a false propaganda.

"It was the first communist government formed in 1957 that laid the foundation for the development path of the state with its policy on land reforms, education, health and also in other sectors," Balakrishnan said.

Taking a swipe at Modi, the CPI-M leader said whichever states that went to polls where Modi led the campaign as Prime Minister, BJP suffered defeat.

"In Kerala also, the same thing is going to happen. BJP is not going to open an account in the state this time also", he said.

Assailing the Congress-led UDF, he said political climate in the state was in favour of LDF and the "Front will come to power with more than 98 seats which it got in 2006 Assembly polls".

He alleged that it was the soft stand taken by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy that paved way for the growth of "Hindutva force" in the state.

Balakrishnan said UDF government had withdrawn cases against Hindutva leaders including VHP leader Praveen Togadia.

This government has refused to file any case against the VHP workers when 'ghar wapsi' was organised in the state, he pointed out.

Referring to Modi's remark that CPI(M) encouraged violence, Balakrishnan said 221 CPI(M) workers had been killed by BJP activists since 1970. After the UDF government came to power in 2011, 28 CPI(M) workers were killed.

The LDF would decide on its leader (Chief Minister) after the results are out, he said.