Achuthanandan justifies PDP support to LDF

Alappuzha, Kerala, Apr 8 (UNI) Justifying the LDF's hobnobbing with the People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Coimbatore blast accused Abdul Nazar Madani, CPI(M) Politburo member V S Achuthanandan today said there was nothing wrong in accepting the PDP's support for the coming assembly elections in Kerala.

''We will oppose the communal politics of Mr Madani. However, that does not mean we are rejecting him. There is no fault in receiving the support of PDP. We will welcome support from all levels,'' Mr Achuthanandan, the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, said at a meet the press programme of the Alappuzha Press Club.

Stating that Madani deserved ''humanitarian consideration'', the CPM leader said the ''long imprisonment'' of Madani was not justifiable. The LDF was against all kinds of communalism. But, we have a humanitarian approach towards Madani, he added.

Refuting Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's statement that the Opposition was responsible for blocking the final agreement on the Smart City project, Mr Achuthanandan said the Kerala High Court and the Election Commission of India had given strict instructions on the issue.

''This is the reason why the Government could not sign the agreement on the Smart City. Instead, Mr Chandy is trying to put the blame on the Opposition's head,'' he added.

Declaring that the CPM was not against developmental activities, Mr Achuthanandan said that development was necessary for the progress of the country. 'We are fighting against the anomalies in the development project. I will continue to fight against corruption and all types of malpractices and irregularities,' he added.

Mr Achuthanandan said if voted to power, the LDF would remove all conditionalities from ADB loans which were 'harmful' to the people.

"We will never allow any forces to bring Keralites under their control by giving loans," he added.

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