A day after AICC Chief Sonia Gandhi largely spared CPI-M and the Left in Kerala during her election campaign meetings, CWC member and state Chief Minister, AK Antony reiterated his position that the CPI(M) was a party that could not be trusted.
"People of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura know the real face of Marxists and I have no sympathy towards the CPI(M)," Antony said, briefing reporters on the cabinet meeting.
"I am saying this from my experience. The face of CPI(M) in Delhi (central leadership) is not the real face of CPI(M). It is cosmetic", Antony said, adding that CPI(M) leaders in Kerala were following 'outdated' policies of the party.
Stating that no political significance need be attached to Sonia Gandhi sparing the CPI(M) in her speeches, Antony said since the BJP was the main political rival of the Congress at the national level, she had severely attacked the party.
"In national politics, the main rival of the Congress is BJP and CPI(M) has not much of a role", he added.
Emphasising that a Congress-led secular government would come to power at the centre after the polls, Antony said the Congress would not be foolish enough to support a Third front government as the party did in 1996.
{{/usCountry}}Emphasising that a Congress-led secular government would come to power at the centre after the polls, Antony said the Congress would not be foolish enough to support a Third front government as the party did in 1996.
{{/usCountry}}He took exception to the manner in which Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan described Sonia at a public meeting and said "You see, this has come just 24 hours after CPI(M) veteran Joythi Basu termed Sonia Gandhi as a suitable person for the Prime Ministership."