Thiruvananthapuram, March 20 Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said on Friday that former CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran was insulted by the Left party, and that the UDF had no prior agreement with him before he left the Marxist organization.
Speaking to reporters on various issues, Chennithala said that the CPI(M) showed no decency towards Sudhakaran and insulted him.
He said that the Congress-led UDF decided to support him after he left the CPI(M) because he was a man with clear beliefs.
In response to reporters' queries, the senior Congress leader also said that there was no need to suspect that Sudhakaran, who is being supported by the UDF as an independent candidate from the Ambalapuzha assembly seat, would abandon them after winning the election.
Chennithala also said that there was a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the Left and the CPI(M), and that people were tired of 10 years of Communist rule.
"The people want a change," he said.
Responding to queries regarding some party leaders leaving to join the BJP over denial of seats, Chennithala said that there were many eligible candidates in the Congress, "but we are contesting in only 92 seats".
"The party raised them to where they are now. So, when the party was at a crucial juncture, they should have stood with it. Getting seats or not is part of the election process.
"Not everyone can be given seats. It would cause unhappiness to some, but when we come to power, they will be taken care of. Therefore, there is no need to leave the party for not being given a seat," he said.
Those who leave will have to suffer later, he added.
Regarding Eldhose Kunnappilly, Chennithala said that the Perumbavoor MLA should have been given a seat, but he will not leave the party over that.
"He called me and we spoke in detail. He will not leave the party. The party has given him a lot. He was eligible for a seat, but it could not be given to him this time. In my view, he should have been given a seat. I told him to stand with the party and I believe he will agree with that," the senior Congress leader said.