Chandy launches campaign, trains guns on Achuthanandan

Thiruvananthapuram/Kollam: After getting the AICC and KPCC president V M Sudheeran to almost toe his line in candidate selection, chief minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday launched his campaign in the state by targeting opposition leader V S Achuthanandan.

In response to Achuthanandan's call for keeping out the tainted Congress leaders from the election, Chandy said those who were targeting him would be disappointed. "VS said the other day that I should not contest the election as there were many allegations against me. I do not think staying off election would do any good. The opposition will, in fact, get a chance to defeat me. They should handle me in a more democratic way than simply raising allegations," he told a UDF convention at Eravipuram in Kollam.

Chandy wanted Achuthanandan to clarify his opinion on K B Ganeshkumar, who stepped down as minister from his cabinet following an allegation of domestic violence. He also took a dig at the LDF candidate selection and wanted the opposition leader to react on candidates in Kollam, Chavara, Pathanapuram and Kunnathur.

"The candidate in Chavara (V Vijayan Pillai) had left the UDF in protest against the government's liquor policy. CPM leaders like Pinarayi Vijayan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan have already made it clear that they will revise the liquor policy once they come to power. Thus, if one reads between the lines, it can be seen that there is a conspiracy to topple the liquor policy. I am eagerly waiting to hear from Achuthanandan on the candidature of Ganesh Kumar, Mukesh and Kovoor Kunjumon," he said.

Chandy addressed UDF conventions at Nedumangadu, Kattakada, Aruvikkara and Thiruvananthapuram assembly constituencies.