Launching a strong critique against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan accused him of authoritarian behavior, political double standards, and clandestine electoral alliances with the BJP. Satheesan highlighted the Chief Minister’s avoidance of public scrutiny, likening it to a lack of accountability akin to All India Radio. He emphasized that the public’s demand for transparency could not be suppressed, hinting at dissatisfaction over alleged misdeeds.
Satheesan further alleged a political understanding between the CPI(M) and the BJP, citing candidate selections in various constituencies as evidence. He pointed out instances in seats like Ettumanoor, Trippunithura, Chengannur, Ranni, Konni, and Kasaragod, suggesting mutual benefits for both parties through tacit agreements. Questioning the Chief Minister’s defensive response to these claims, Satheesan vowed that such arrangements would be exposed by the UDF during the elections.
The Opposition Leader also criticized the Chief Minister’s language in public discourse, accusing the CPI(M) leadership of endorsing derogatory expressions. He expressed concern over the party’s use of offensive language, stating that it reflected a decline in standards, especially in a language as rich as Malayalam. Satheesan raised allegations of substantial misuse of public funds for political campaigning, claiming that the state exchequer had seen expenditures amounting to thousands of crores in the past six months. He specifically highlighted a government-sponsored event involving actor Mohanlal, alleging an expenditure of Rs 11.5 lakh from public funds and demanding reimbursement to taxpayers.
Satheesan clarified his stance on minority communities, refuting claims of speaking against the Latin Church and accusing certain media sections of distorting his statements. He reiterated the UDF’s commitment to opposing communal forces and emphasized a firm stance against such divisive influences. Asserting a shift in political dynamics, Satheesan predicted a rejection of what he termed as “arrogance, corruption, and deal politics” by the electorate, setting the stage for a significant contest ahead.
