UDF, LDF appeasing minorities: BJP

KOCHI: The BJP on Sunday said the Piravom bypoll is crucial in the wake of the slender majority of the UDF government. The election will decide whether the Oommen Chandy government should continue or not, said party national executive member C K Padmanabhan.He said this while inaugurating the election convention of BJP candidate K R Rajagopal in Piravom on Sunday.  Stating that the people of the constituency would defeat both the UDF and the LDF, who were trying to appease the minority votes, he alleged that the candidates of both fronts were decided by religious leaders.Padmanabhan also said the Muslim League and the Kerala Congress are ruling the state. The ruling front has always been trying to appease the minority communities and the majority communities were always being neglected, he said.  BJP state president V Muraleedharan alleged that the Church leadership which was trying to protect the Italian marines which is against national interest. State secretary A N Radhakrishnan said that the poll date was shifted from March 18 to 17 on the wishes of religious leaders.Meanwhile, the LDF and the UDF candidates continued their campaign in the constituency.LDF candidate M J Jacob on Sunday toured Maneedu and Thirumarady panchayats. UDF candidate Anoop Jacob toured Piravom, Mulanthuruthy and Amballoor. Anoop would file his nomination papers on Monday at the Pampakuda block panchayat office.