However, the CPM candidate of Kalpetta in Wayanad district has surprised everybody by claiming that he is going to lose.
“Let’s be realistic. Kalpetta is a UDF stronghold. We must have given the UDF a tough fight, but I am not going to win,’’ said P A Mohammed, the LDF candidate. Mohammed is pitted against Socialist Janata Dal’s M V Sreyams Kumar, son of party supremo M P Veerendrakumar. “I don’t want to go on making some claims today and swallow it tomorrow,’’ said Mohammed.
However, the CPM Wayanad district leadership is optimistic. Meanwhile, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has indicated that the LDF will not wean away any constituent of the UDF for temporary political gain.
“We will respect people’s verdict and sit in the opposition in that case,’’ he said in response to speculation that the LDF will be trying to latch on to power by befriending the Kerala Congress (M).
It is also learnt that the CPM central leadership is inclined to keep Achuthanandan in the saddle as the chief minister if the LDF retains power.
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