Thiruvananthapuram, Sunday, March 27, 2011: The use of a helicopter by KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala in poll campaign has become an election issue for CPI-M in Kerala with party leaders, including Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan alleging that money gained by Congress through corruption was behind the trips.

Addressing poll meetings in the district today, Achuthanandan charged Congress leaders with using money “got through corruption worth crores of Rupees” for the chopper campaign. Helicopters were being used as the Congress-led UDF had not been able to catch up with the LDF campaign which was far ahead of its rivals, he claimed.

In a statement here, CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said the Election Commission should take steps to include the money being spent for chopper trips of Chennithala to Haripad in his election expenses. He said this campaign was part of Congress’ attempt to “damage” democracy in Kerala.

(News agency)