"Kerala Govt to fall"

CPI Kerala unit secretary Veliyam Bhargavan on Sunday claimed that the AK Antony state government would collapse after the ongoing Lok Sabha elections as a majority of the ruling United Democratic Front members were disenchanted due to its "total failure" in addressing crucial issues facing the state.

"The post poll scenario will ensure removal of the Antony Government as the leaders could devote time only to work for their interests forgetting people's issues, forcing many a ruling coalition members to shift their stance towards CPI-M led Left Democratic Front," he said at the "Janavidhi 2004" programme conducted by Kannur Press Club.

He said the Left parties accorded top priority to ousting BJP at the Centre as its removal from power was essential for protecting India's cherished ideals of secularism and socialist pattern of development.

"The growth of BJP is not only a threat to the minorities but a potential challenge to nation's integrity," he added.

Stating that handloom products, which once had greater demand in foreign markets, and beedi, coir and cashew sectors were facing threat to their survival, Bhargavan alleged that the state government did not make even a single attempt to save the traditional industrial units.

Due to Government's decision to open up education sector to private participation, imparting education had now become a costly affair and "this move is clearly against the common people of Kerala," he said.