File photo of VS Achuthanandan.
Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly, VS Achuthanandan, a leading crowd puller of the CPM's Assembly election rallies, on Friday stunned party workers by making only a one line speech in Poonjar segment while campaigning for a LDF candidate and not uttering a single word against former government chief whip PC George who is contesting as an independent.
"Cast your vote for (LDF candidate) PC Joseph who is contesting as the LDF candidate to put an end to Oommen Chandy's corrupt rule," said Mr Achuthanandan ending his one line speech.
When his attention was drawn to the presence of LDF candidate from Peermade, ES Bijimol on the dais, the 93-year-old CPM leader also appealed to the people to cast their votes for the CPI nominee.
A mass rally was organised by the LDF in Poonjar and supporters expected that Mr Achuthanandan would come down heavily on former government chief whip PC George, who is contesting as an independent after LDF refused to accept him in its fold.
He, however, did not utter a single word against Mr George, who had earlier said his support goes to Mr Achuthanandan as Chief Ministerial candidate of the LDF.
Mr George was quick to comment, saying the one line speech is a clear message to the people of Poonjar that he enjoys moral support of the CPM veteran in the key constituency which is witnessing a tight four-cornered struggle with UDF's Georgekutty Augusthy of KC(M) and BDJS nominee MR Ullas also in the fray.
Meanwhile, addressing another election rally in Pala, the constituency of KC(M) supremo KM Mani, Mr Achuthanandan attacked the former state Finance Minister, saying he is "a gentleman who is hated."