Kochi (Kerala), March 29 (NationPress) Senior Congress figure Ramesh Chennithala reaffirmed on Sunday the party's claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and CPI(M) are involved in a "collusion" ahead of the state Assembly elections scheduled for April 9.

Chennithala stated to IANS, "Indeed, there exists a collusion between the BJP and the CPI(M). This arrangement is essentially between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. We have brought this to light, and it is a topic of widespread discussion among the public."

Notably, this accusation has been consistently voiced by Kerala Leader of Opposition (LoP) V.D. Satheesan, alongside other prominent Congress leaders, including party President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, who assert that the CPI(M)-led LDF and the BJP maintain a "covert arrangement" in approximately 10 Assembly constituencies across Kerala.

Ramesh Chennithala further accused the BJP and CPI(M) of obstructing the Congress' return to governance in the state.

He remarked, "In the previous 2021 elections, a full collusion was evident. PM Modi aimed for a 'Congress Mukt Bharat', while the Chief Minister sought to prevent Congress from regaining power. These two perspectives are aligning in this election, and the public is aware of this reality."

It's important to note that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) last held power in Kerala from 2011 to 2016, before the Left Democratic Front (LDF) claimed victory in the 2016 Assembly elections.

Chennithala expressed optimism that the UDF will prevail in the forthcoming elections.

He stated, "We are very optimistic that this (alleged collusion between CPI(M) and BJP) scheme will not succeed, and we will reclaim power."

"The UDF will return with a significant majority, and we will establish a government. Our confidence is substantial," he asserted.

Earlier, in response to Congress's allegations, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had questioned the Kerala LoP Satheesan's purported connections with the RSS.

Through a social media post, CM Vijayan inquired what "collusion" was behind Satheesan’s involvement as a guest at an RSS-organized event celebrating M.S. Golwalkar's birth centenary in Paravur in 2006, where he allegedly lit a ceremonial lamp after bowing before Golwalkar's portrait.

In relation to the alleged gold theft case in Sabarimala, Ramesh Chennithala commented, "Sabarimala is a significant issue. The public is completely disenchanted with the stance taken by CPI(M)."