Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly denied claims that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) sought the support of the SDPI for the ongoing 2026 assembly elections. Reaffirming the CPI(M)’s firm stance against communalism, he stated that voters who oppose the BJP naturally lean toward the LDF. Addressing the controversy regarding SDPI’s open support in the high-profile Nemom constituency, the CM explained that the LDF succeeded in challenging the BJP’s influence in the region—previously a lone seat won by the BJP with alleged Congress help—by gaining the trust of minority communities.
During a press briefing at the party headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayan emphasized that the state government maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward both majority and minority communalism. He identified majority communalism as the primary threat but stressed that the government treats all such forces equally. He claimed that this strict adherence to secular principles is the reason Kerala has remained free of communal riots over the last decade.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the LDF’s consistent defense of minority rights has significantly shifted the outlook of those communities toward the Left. He pointed to the state’s vocal opposition to central policies like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the FCRA amendments as proof of this commitment. In contrast, he accused the Congress party of aligning with communal elements for electoral gains in the past and being ineffective against the RSS-led agenda at the Centre.
Addressing recent reports that he avoided media queries, Vijayan clarified that he ended a previous session only because the allotted 30 to 40 minutes had concluded. He stated that due to a busy election schedule, he cannot answer every question if the initial responses consume most of the time. “I take questions within the time frame, but I cannot answer those that remain only in your mind,” he remarked, dismissing the misrepresentation of the incident.
Regarding the challenge for a public debate, the Chief Minister dismissed the idea of a face-to-face encounter with Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan. He clarified that the debate would continue via social media, where he has already shared a “report card” of the government’s achievements. Meanwhile, Satheesan reiterated his readiness for a direct debate, urging the CM to accept the challenge to discuss issues like governance, corruption allegations, and the reported LDF-SDPI links. (TNIE)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com