Thiruvananthapuram, March 26 Congress leader K Muraleedharan, contesting in the April 9 Assembly elections, alleged on Thursday that there is a "deal" between the CPI(M) and the BJP in the Vattiyoorkavu constituency, a claim rejected by rival candidates.
Speaking to the media, Muraleedharan said that despite the BJP portraying Vattiyoorkavu as an "A Class" constituency, there is no intense campaigning on the ground.
"This indicates that a silent understanding is taking place. Not just that, some BJP leaders have said they will seek revenge for their defeat in the Nemom constituency in the last election," he said.
Muraleedharan had contested from Nemom in 2021, where CPI(M) leader V Sivankutty defeated BJP's Kummanam Rajasekharan.
He further alleged that some BJP councillors in Thiruvananthapuram are seeking votes for CPI(M) sitting MLA V K Prasanth.
"All of this is part of a deal. But we are not worried. If 10 BJP votes go to the LDF, we will get 20 LDF votes," he said.
He added that BJP candidate R Sreelekha might not be aware of the alleged understanding, but claimed that "behind-the-scenes maneuvering" is happening.
"Some BJP leaders are even openly saying this. But we will regain Vattiyoorkavu," he said.
Muraleedharan had won from Vattiyoorkavu in 2011 and 2016, before contesting from the Vadakara constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Sreelekha dismissed the allegation, saying it did not warrant a response.
"It is a completely false allegation. I am running my campaign in my own way. Why should we respond to such claims?" she asked.
Meanwhile, Prasanth countered Muraleedharan's charge, alleging that it is the UDF that is supporting the BJP in the constituency.
"Muraleedharan has realised that he cannot win here and has admitted defeat. The LDF won the constituency in 2021 and in the 2019 bypoll without any deal, securing votes from both BJP and Congress supporters," he said.
He also alleged that the Congress has entered into understandings with the BJP in other constituencies, including Thrissur.
He said that both the Congress and BJP have fielded strong candidates, while asserting that the LDF's only "deal" is with the voters, not with any political front.