LDF govt. did not cooperate with key projects: Sudhakaran

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate in the Kannur Lok Sabha constituency K. Sudhakaran holds the State government responsible for torpedoing some of the important development projects he had planned for his constituency after being elected the MP in 2019.

In an interview with The Hindu, he claimed that the government was reluctant to extend him any productive cooperation. “There were many projects which could have been completed on time with better cooperation,” he said.

“Those who put up hurdles to these projects are now campaigning for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate, blaming me for their failure. It is unfair and the voters know the truth,” he said.

Mr. Sudhakaran said he decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections again following the instructions of the Congress leadership. “It was my additional responsibility as the KPCC president that initially prompted me to withdraw from the fray.”

‘Top priorities’

Referring to criticism of his low attendance in Parliament, Mr. Sudhakaran said it had hardly affected development projects in his constituency. “I am far ahead of many other parliamentarians in the completion of promised projects and the use of MP funds. No one can deny the role I played to get more roads sanctioned here,” he said. Mr. Sudhakaran, confident of victory this time too, said the development of the Kannur airport and the extension of railway facilities would be top priorities for him, if elected.

Stance on CAA

On allegations that the Congress has been keeping mum on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in election campaigns, he said the charge was baseless. “We have clearly mentioned it in all our campaign materials,” he said.

Denying the involvement of Congress workers in defamatory social media campaigns against LDF candidates, he said no Congress worker would resort to such acts as it was against the values of the party.

He termed ‘shameless’ the Left parties’ criticism of Rahul Gandhi’s decision to contest from Wayanad. “Mr. Gandhi has the freedom to select any constituency in India. Why should the CPI(M) or other parties worry about such an admired leader in our party?”

While seeking a thorough probe into the alleged role of top CPI(M) leaders in the Panoor crude bomb explosion, Mr. Sudhakaran said the UDF candidates were now forced to ensure their own safety while campaigning.