Kerala win will bolster Congress in South: Satheesan

Kochi: Kerala's leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan said a victory for the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the April 9 assembly election would strengthen the Congress' position in southern India and improve its prospects in the next Lok Sabha election.

A five-time MLA from Paravoor in Ernakulam district, the 61-year-old Congress leader told ET that he expects the UDF to secure more than 100 seats in the 140-member assembly and return to power. Satheesan, considered a front runner for the CM's post in the event of a UDF victory, dismissed reports of factionalism within Congress while alleging that the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is grappling with internal discord "due to (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan's authoritarian style".On leadership, he said the All-India Congress Committee would take a final call if the party secured a majority, following due process. "If we don't win, I will step away from politics," he said.

Alleging a tacit understanding between LDF and BJP in select constituencies to prevent the Congress from coming to power, he claimed that "10-25 seats have seen alignment" and that this had triggered protests against the top leaders in both camps. Satheesan criticised Vijayan for remarks against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling them "unwarranted" and aimed at currying favour with the BJP. He also alleged that central agencies had been less active in Kerala than in other non-BJP-ruled states because of Vijayan accommodating BJP politically.


On the economy, he said Kerala was burdened with high debt but maintained that the UDF's poll guarantees were fiscally viable.