Thiruvanthapuram, Feb. 27 -- As assembly elections in Kerala approach and the race for power heats up, senior Congress leader and party election campaign committee chairman Ramesh Chennithala spoke to HT about the party's election strategy, major poll planks and other key issues. Edited excerpts from the conversation. First, the 2021 assembly elections took place in the shadow of Covid-19... At the time, the LDF government was seen as a saviour. People were starving and the government was paying pensions and distributing food kits and medicines. At the time, all ruling governments gained an advantage, such as in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and even the United Kingdom. Secondly, (Narendra) Modi doesn't want a Congress government here. He wants Congress-Mukt Bharat, so he doesn't mind if the CPI(M) government (gets re-elected). According to our data, in 69 constituencies, (a section of) NDA votes went to CPI(M). These are the reasons for the 2021 defeat. But now, people are disillusioned. Ten years is a long period and people want change...Unfortunately, nothing has been done in the last 10 years...The common man is facing a big crisis... All these factors will help us form an alternative government. Both factors are working. We are definitely highlighting the government's faults and at the same time telling the voters what we plan to do if elected. We will transform Kerala's economy. Our public debt has increased from Rs.1 lakh crore to Rs.6.5 lakh crore. The public exchequer is empty and... there is no proper collection of taxes. Earlier, it was like that where in certain areas, votes of the Congress were eaten by the BJP. But during the last LS election, things have changed. BJP is eating votes more from the CPI(M) than us. I don't think that BJP will play a major role in this election. I don't see them winning any seats here. Actually, LDF is the primary rival, because they are in the government. BJP is not a significant factor here today. So our major tussle will be with LDF. But we will keep an eye on the BJP....