BJP's Vote Bazaar

Kerala is witnessing much political churning as sworn enemies strike new bonds. While the Left and the Congress-led coalitions blame each other for purchasing BJP votes in the just-concluded Lok Sabha by-election, the CPI(M) politburo is preparing the ground for the entry of ex-foe and lapsed Congressman K. Karunakaran and his son Muraleedharan into the Left Front. As the first step, CPI(M) has openly acknowledged the substantial contribution of the Karunakaran-led Democratic Indira Congress to the Left victory in the Thiruvanthapuram bypoll. Its tactic is to prop up Karunakaran and decimate the Congress. The latest charge against Karunakaran is that he ensured BJP votes for the Left in the Lok Sabha byelection, helping it cross the 50 per cent vote tally.