Thiruvananthapuram: The use of a helicopter
by KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala in poll campaign has become
an election issue for CPI-M in Kerala with party leaders,
including Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan alleging that money
gained by Congress through corruption was behind the trips.
Addressing poll meetings in the district on Sunday,
Achuthanandan charged Congress leaders with using money "got
through corruption worth crores of Rupees" for the chopper
campaign.
Helicopters were being used as the Congress-led UDF had
not been able to catch up with the LDF campaign which was far
ahead of its rivals, he claimed.
In a statement, CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi
Vijayan said the Election Commission should take steps to
include the money being spent for chopper trips of Chennithala
to Haripad in his election expenses.
He said this campaign was part of Congress` attempt to
"damage" democracy in Kerala. It was the first time that the
party was using helicopters for an entire campaign, he said
and alleged that the party was trying to influence voters
through its election pomp using black money.
Meanwhile, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said the
controversy over helicopter campaign was unwarranted.
"AICC provided the helicopter for tour of national
leaders, which is used by leaders here also. There is no need
for any controversy over the issue," he said at a press meet
here.
PTI
