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RSS leader's allegation of CPM-BJP vote trade in Kerala a shot in the arm for CongressBJP leaders were maintaining that Balashankar was upset as he did not get the NDA seat for the Assembly electio
Arjun Raghunath
DHNS
Last Updated IST
Credit: PTI File Photo
Credit: PTI File Photo

In an embarrassment to the BJP and the CPM in Kerala, an RSS-BJP ideologue has alleged of CPM-BJP vote trade at several constituencies in Kerala.

R Balashankar, who is a former editor of RSS mouthpiece organiser, alleged that the CPM did not field strong candidates at certain constituencies where the BJP was pinning high hopes. He cited that in order to help BJP state President K Surendran contesting at Konni in Pathanamthitta, the CPM fielded a weak candidate in the constituency, and in return, the BJP would be helping the CPM in Aaranmula and Chengannur seats in Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts.

The fresh allegations by an RSS leader have come as a shot in the arm for the Congress with Congress leaders alleging that at several constituencies the BJP had fielded candidates who had joined the saffron party from the CPM or the CPI.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala of the Congress demanded the BJP and the CPM leaders to clarify to the people about the allegations raised by the RSS leader. The BJP is trying hard to ensure CPM's victory in the coming election. But the CPM was playing a politics that was dangerous for the state and the people will realise it, he said.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders were maintaining that Balashankar was upset as he did not get the NDA seat for the Assembly election and this was the provocation for such baseless allegations. The CPM leaders were also relying on the BJP leaders' stand against Balashankar to wriggle out of the embarrassment.

Balashankar is said to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he had penned the book 'Narendra Modi; Creative Disruptor'. He was reportedly being considered for the Chengannur constituency.

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(Published 17 March 2021, 16:27 IST)