'CPI-M is enemy number one'

'The CPI-M indulges in senseless talk. Be it the solar scam or the National Games scam, did the CPI-M prove anything?'

Moments after the Election Commission announced that Kerala will go to the polls on May 16, Chief Minister Oomen Chandy speaks to R Rajagopalan.

Who do you consider as your enemy number one -- the CPI-M (the Communist Party of India-Marxist) or the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)?

The CPI-M is our enemy number one. There is no BJP in Kerala.

Will you be projected as the chief ministerial candidate?

That is for the Congress high command to announce. But, in all fairness, I feel the Congress leadership has given me the authority and entrusted the task to lead the party's campaign in Kerala.

There is talk in Congress circles in Delhi about a statement you made before the Congress high command that you can bring all the allies of the UDF (united Democratic Front) together but not the leaders of your Kerala Congress Committee.

(Laughs loudly) Yes, I stated this to a few seniors. The reason being there is internal democracy in the KSCC (Kerala State Congress Committee).

Anyone is welcome to issue personal statements or party views. Yes, there is infighting, but once a decision is taken, nobody will flout the resolution.

Do you welcome state Congress president V M Sudheeran contesting the assembly election?

Yes, why not? Sudheeran should contest.

Given that Sudheeran (an Ezhava), (state Home Minister) Ramesh Chennaithala (a Nair) and you (a Christian) will be in the fray, are you missing a Muslim face as well in the Kerala Congress?

Wait and watch. The elections have just been announced, wait till the nominations to find out.

In the light of recent scams and corruption scandals, will the people of Kerala accept you as chief minister in 2016?

I began my tenure five years ago with a majority of two MLAs. I ran the government for full five years.

The CPI-M has not been able to prove any scam or corruption charges.

It is the CPI-M which stated that Oomen Chandy committed a Rs 6,000 crore fraud. But their own press release states that the total amount sanctioned for the project was Rs 600 crore. If they add a zero, does the project worth become Rs 6,000 crore?

The CPI-M indulges in senseless talk. Be it the solar scam or the National Games scam, they are all being raised just for the sake of it. Did the CPI-M prove anything?

Let the Marxists say anything, Kerala's voters prefer a Congress government. In 2016, it will be the Congress forming the government

I am confident. I work for the people 16 hours a day.

At this age, I travel at least 200 km a day by road to connect with people. That is my asset.