Author:
Publication: Deccan Herald
Date: April 1, 2004
URL: http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr012004/n4.asp?headline=CPM~support~to~NRI~RS~member~haunts~LDF
Introduction: According to many
LDF parties, NRI Abdul Wahab's inclusion in the voters' list of Nilambur
constituency in Malappuram violated the Representation of People's Act
The sharp differences in the Left
Democratic Front over the tacit support bestowed on UDF candidate and influential
non-resident Indian businessman P V Abdul Wahab by the CPM to get elected
to the Rajya Sabha, continue to haunt the Opposition front in Kerala.
CPM leader V S Achuthanandan himself
criticised the participation of LDF leaders, including his own party's
Kozhikode district secretary at a public reception accorded to Mr Wahab
in Kozhikode last Sunday. Mr Achuthanandan supported the stand of RSP leader
T J Chandrachoodan who had raked up the issue alleging that the inclusion
of the NRI in the voters' list of Nilambur constituency in Malappuram violated
the Representation of People's Act. Making matters worse for the CPM, sections
of its leaders are either pro or anti-Wahab whose status will come under
the microscope when his election is challenged in court. While Mr Achuthanandan
is not so favorably disposed towards the Indian Union Muslim League nominee,
his rival in the party and State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has been singing
a different tune.
Master of a Rs 136-crore business
empire stretching from Malappuram to Australia as declared by Mr Wahab
himself in his affidavit before the Election Commission, he is also known
to be a friend of most parties in Kerala. The DYFI, the CPM's youth brigade,
had openly criticised the candidature of Mr Wahab irrespective of the stand
taken by the party.
The NRI businessman is also a director
of CPM-owned "Kairali" TV, the Muslim League organ Chandrika daily and
the Mujahid faction's Varthamanam daily.
