Congress-CPI-M should form JV in Kerala, will go there to expose them: Mamata

Ridiculing the Congress and the CPI-M for their proposed electoral alliance in West Bengal against her Trinamool Congress, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said she would like to campaign in Kerala to expose the two parties which have reduced the coming assembly polls in the southern state into a "farce".

"I certainly would like to go to Kerala to expose the CPI-M and the Congress, their unethical alliance in Bengal. I want to give a message to the people of Kerala about the lack of morality of the two parties," Banerjee, also the Trinamool supremo, said at a media meet here.

Dripping sarcasm, she said the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Congress,, which are principal adversaries in Kerala, should form a "joint venture" for the polls in that state, and divide the assembly seats equally between themselves.

"What is the need for holding elections in Kerala? The elections there have now been reduced to a farce. The CPI-M and the Congress can equally divide the seats among themselves. They can enter into a joint venture there.

"If they are in an alliance in Bengal, what is the rationale for fighting the elections against each other in Kerala? If elections are not held in Kerala, the Election Commission would save money, and the people would not face harassment on account of the elections."

Terming the Congress-Left Front proposed electoral tie-up as "unethical", she said it was not important whether they announce their alliance officially or not. "They are holding joint processions, rallies, selecting candidates jointly. It is their business."

Banerjee said the Trinamool was formed in the 1990s as she did not accept the "covert unholy understanding" between the CPI-M and the Congress then. "This has been going on for long. Now this has come into the open."

She also held out an invitation for any Congress leader who was contemplating leaving the party over its likely tie-up with the CPI-M. "If anybody comes out (of the Congress), we are ready to welcome him."

A section of Congress leaders, including former state party chief Manas Bhuniya have deep reservations about any understanding with the CPI-M, which has been the Congress' arch foe in the state for decades.

Banerjee also tried to club the Bharatiya Janata Party with the Congress and the CPI-M led Left Front. "The BJP has also been with them for long, because it does not like the Trinamool's policy of maintaining communal amity.

"But I tell you, the Congress, BJP and CPI-M candidates will lose their deposits. People will give them a befitting reply."

West Begnal will have a six-phase poll schedule between April 4 and May 5. Keral is slated to hold single-day poll on May 16.