Congress seeks explanation from CPM after EP Jayarajan's meet with BJP's Prakash Javadekar

NEW DELHI: EP Jayanrajan of ruling Left meeting BJP 's Prakash Javadekar has deepened the tension between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Congress in Kerala , with the latter demanding an explanation on why Jayarajan met Javadekar.

The entire controversy erupted after the state Congress chief K Sudhakaran alleged that the LDF convener was planning to join the BJP -- the charge that the Left party dismissed as a "Congress's ploy to hide its embarrassment" over its party leaders switching to the BJP in big numbers.

On the polling day on Friday, Sudhakaran further alleged that "there was a secret understanding between the BJP and the CPM". Senior BJP leader Shoba Surendran had also alleged that a middleman tried to help Jayarajan "who expressed interest to join the BJP".

"Why would the LDF convener meet the BJP in charge of Kerala, Pakash Javadekar? What did they discuss? Did they discuss some business deal? Or an election deal? Is there any business between them?" the state Congress chief asked.

Coming out in support of the LDF convener, CPM leader MV Jayarajan on Saturday said the controversy was created by the Congress party to hide the fact that their leaders were joining the BJP.

"The defection of Congress leaders to the BJP is a national phenomenon. The KPCC president himself had said that he will go with the BJP. Days before the elections, news came out that a section of Congress leaders from Kerala were ready to join the BJP. They are trying to hide their embarrassment," M V Jayarajan alleged.

MV Jayarajan also said that just days before the elections in Kerala, Sudhakaran's former PA joined the BJP. He also said that senior Congress leader A K Antony's son Anil K Antony joined the BJP and contested on the BJP ticket from Pathanamthitta seat.

"A K Antony refused to campaign against the BJP in Pathanamthitta. So this controversy is just to hide all these embarrassments," M V Jayarajan said.

E P Jayarajan on Friday had admitted his meeting with Prakash Javadekar and not having conveyed the same to his party.

After casting his vote on Friday, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan cautioned his party colleague to be vigilant in his associations.

Soon after Sudhakaran had raised the allegations, E P Jayarajan had accused the KPCC chief of going to Chennai to meet certain BJP leaders to join that party. Jayarajan alleged that Sudhakaran returned after certain Congress leaders intervened.

(With PTI inputs)