Thiruvananthapuram: IUML national general secretary and UDF leader PK Kunhalikutty, a towering figure in Kerala politics with administrative experience as a three-time Industries Minister and former Lok Sabha MP, spoke to Mathrubhumi reporters Biju CP and Kabeer Chavassery on the upcoming Assembly elections and key political issues.

Only a few days are left for the elections. How are the preparations?
This is a convenient situation. There is no point in dragging things. For the UDF, we have already presented the shortcomings of the 10-year rule and our alternative agenda well in advance. In matters like candidate selection, too, the UDF moved faster. The Left came a bit behind us.

The League is contesting in 27 seats. How many will you win?
Which seat are we likely to lose? Going by the current trend, there is a possibility of winning all the seats we are contesting. For example, Chelakkara is usually seen as a Left stronghold. But after our candidate was announced, there has been a big movement there. Similarly, in Perambra, there is strong momentum. In Koothuparamba, too. If you ask which seat is doubtful, there is none. Even issues in Punalur have been resolved.

So your assessment is that the League can win all 27 seats?
It may sound like over-ambition… though that is the wish, we don’t usually say it like that. But going by the current trend, that possibility cannot be ruled out.

VD Satheesan says the UDF will get 100 seats. What is your expectation?
That is our view as well. We say this after detailed discussions. Even after the Nilambur by-election, both Satheesan and I had similar assessments regarding the majority.

Earlier, the LDF was accused of obstructing development. Now they are campaigning on development. Isn’t that a challenge?
They were the ones who obstructed development when we were in power. They created unnecessary protests and disturbances and gave Kerala a bad impression. It was their trade union militancy. Now, when they talk about development to seek votes, it is their admission of guilt. Can they name even one Technopark, Infopark or Smart City project they brought in during these 10 years?

Kakkanad, which was once barren, became what it is today during our government, when I was the IT Minister. Those are our projects. The Metro is ours. As for roads, they extend from Kanyakumari to beyond Mangaluru; they are national projects. Claiming them is like saying someone else’s child is yours.

In the case of the Wayanad rehabilitation package, people contributed money that piled up, but now, during the elections, they are inaugurating just one or two houses. We had launched a proper rehabilitation project, and people have started living there. What happened to theirs? It is a failure.

When the League set an example in Wayanad rehabilitation, Congress did not do much. Will fund-related issues affect elections?

Those who lost their homes received houses through projects implemented by the government and the League. As for Rahul Gandhi’s initiative, what they did was hand over the funds to the government. However, the government responded with ingratitude. Through the Karnataka government and other sources, the Congress channelled whatever funds they could into the government’s scheme. That ₹20 crore itself was enough to build houses. They could have undertaken an independent project if they wanted. Now, they have purchased land and are proceeding with construction there; the rest is for them to explain.

The Chief Minister says there are no corruption allegations against the government. Your response?
This is a government that has seen allegations of corruption even in Sabarimala. Haven’t CPM leaders ended up in jail? And yet they claim there is no corruption.

If we have fallen slightly behind, it is only because we do not resort to the kind of harsh, personal attacks they make. We usually don’t go that far. Leaders like VS never showed such restraint, and that has generally been the style of the CPM. We don’t go to that extent. After all, how many corruption allegations have surfaced?

The League takes a mild stand, but Congress, too, did not raise strong corruption charges. Was the opposition weak?
Even when AK Antony was the opposition leader, similar criticism existed, but they later came to power with over 100 seats. We raised many allegations inside and outside the Assembly. Many are now in court.

The League’s state secretary himself came out criticising the candidate announcement in Tirurangadi, and local leaders openly protested in Mankada. Isn’t this unusual for the League?

There are very few problems in the League now. There were far more issues in the past, even a split, with a section going with the LDF, and a part of that still remaining there. The person who criticised the Tirurangadi seat later said it was an emotional reaction. As for Mankada, those are minor issues and not of any real significance.

Even when the League announced its candidates, the Congress list was delayed. Earlier, the League used to intervene when there were issues in Congress. Is there a weakness in the Congress leadership now?
No, I don’t think so. There haven’t been any major issues this time. Even though it took some time, the Congress released a perfect list. However, the Left has fielded candidates in a way that helps the BJP in seats where it is weak. Traditionally, in places where the LDF is on the back foot, they are creating opportunities for the BJP to benefit—that is evident. In constituencies like Palakkad, they have effectively facilitated the BJP. This is not limited to just one place; there are two or three such instances.

On what basis does the UDF allege a BJP-CPM deal in around 10 constituencies, including Palakkad?
We say this because a clear message has gone out that they are not putting up a serious fight in those ten seats. Otherwise, such a discussion wouldn’t arise. Their approach in those constituencies shows a lack of serious contest. That is why we are making this allegation.

Do you think the CPM will benefit from this?
These are seats where the BJP is unlikely to win anyway. So, they may gain something in those areas.

If that happens, won’t it help the LDF win? Could it even help the BJP win up to 10 seats? How will the UDF counter this?
There is no possibility of an LDF victory. Given the current trend in favour of the UDF, they will overcome all this. Otherwise, it might have worked. Look at the panchayat elections—didn’t we see unexpected results? The trend seen in the parliamentary elections still continues here.

From parliamentary to panchayat elections, the BJP’s vote share slightly declined, while the UDF made gains. Yet, the LDF retained an edge in 57 Assembly segments.
Whether the BJP’s votes increase or decrease does not affect the UDF. There is a clear pro-UDF trend. No matter what tactics they use, they cannot overcome this trend. They may try various strategies, and they might gain marginally in some places. But the LDF will lose a significant portion of its traditional votes.

There are complaints that women have not been given adequate representation. The Vanitha League has also expressed this openly.
I heard Shailaja Teacher’s response when it was pointed out that women were not adequately considered in the CPM. She said it is not always possible to accommodate everyone in constituencies. The same applies to us as well. We don’t have as many seats as they do. But women will get adequate opportunities.

But the League has fielded two women candidates in relatively less winnable seats, isn’t it?
We have fielded two strong and prominent candidates. They will win. From the panchayat elections, we have understood that places like Perambra and Koothuparamba are favourable to us.

It was expected that a woman candidate would be fielded in a sure seat in Malappuram this time.
There is no need to insist on that. When there is a strong UDF wave in Kerala, what does it matter where they contest? You think the League has winnable seats only in Malappuram—that’s why you say this. But that’s not the case, and we know it. In the Assembly elections, we have only 27 seats, so there are practical limitations.

Do you think the hate remarks made by Vellappally Natesan about Malappuram, Muslims and the League were driven by CPM’s interests?
Those campaigns stopped abruptly, didn’t they? Now you don’t see such campaigns. The League is still here. Why? Because after the local body elections, it became clear how such campaigns would be received. These are things that should not be said in Kerala; they are inappropriate.

Does the League feel CPM used Vellappally to promote Hindu appeasement and spread anti-Muslim sentiments?
That was indeed the intention then. The “card” they played was different at that time. Opinions change based on the card being played. During the parliamentary elections, it was one card. After the elections, it stopped. Now they are in a confused state, without any cards. These tactics, caste, religion, and communal narratives, are old tricks that won’t work with the new generation.

Since the League has “Muslim” in its name, does that identity hinder its expansion into a broader Dalit-backward-minority politics?
No. We are doing many things in practice to ensure that it does not become a barrier. The name is historical. But anyone can become a member of the party. The League is not a party that functions solely on the basis of religion or caste. Its aim is to protect backwards and minority sections.

In effect, should the IUML become an Indian Union Minority League?
Yes, many people have suggested that.

Will discussions over who will become Chief Minister from Congress affect the alliance?
No, it won’t. The Congress high command will decide that after consultations. And does one necessarily need the Chief Minister’s post to lead a government?

If the UDF comes to power, would you be interested in becoming Deputy Chief Minister?
I have no such ambition. Why do we need a Deputy Chief Minister’s post? What matters is doing one’s work properly in the department. That is what people will remember.

Many who were in CPM in the last election are now UDF candidates. Was this a UDF decision or Congress’s call?
It is a UDF decision. The LDF fields anyone they can get, but we are not like that. When people come forward from their strongholds and openly speak out, it is our responsibility to give them space. That is what we have done.

Can you name one best and one worst aspect of the Pinarayi government?
We have appreciated several government schemes, even in the Assembly. They showed strong determination in land acquisition for national highway development. The worst aspect is the financial crisis. The treasury should not be pushed towards bankruptcy; that burden will fall on the people. There has been wasteful spending on unnecessary things. It will take effort to bring Kerala out of this situation.

The Left is running a strong social media campaign targeting Opposition Leader VD Satheesan, accusing him of frequently lying. Will this affect the UDF?
After candidate selection, Satheesan exposed issues in places like Palakkad, Kasaragod and Ranni. In response, they are making uncontrolled statements. Satheesan is an able leader. There are many strong leaders in Congress.