Pinarayi refutes CPM-BJP deal allegation

Thrissur/T'puram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed Congress' CPM-BJP deal allegation as absurd and reiterated that LDF will not stoop to ‘rashtreeya chettatharam' (political meanness) to wrest a couple of votes or seats. Vijayan dismissed opposition leader VD Satheesan's allegation that he had joined hands with RSS during his first assembly election.

"Everyone knows how RSS viewed me right from the time I began my political life. They always targeted me. Now a situation has emerged where any kind of lies can be said about all issues and events," he alleged on Friday.

He repeated his allegation that Congress had allied with communal forces multiple times. "A former president of the Congress state unit had openly said some time ago that he had given protection to RSS shakas," he said.

Vijayan alleged that Jan Sangh (BJP's predecessor) had withdrawn its candidate in Pattambi to ensure the victory of Congress candidate against veteran communist leader EMS Namboodiripad. He said similar understandings were reached between Congress and BJP when communist leader AK Gopalan contested in Palakkad.

He criticized BJP candidate B Gopalakrishnan's words that Guruvayur is yet to get a Hindu representative in the assembly and said such statements are meant to divide society. It is not correct to say that people from only a particular community can contest polls, he said.

Vijayan claimed unlike UDF, LDF regime had always implemented the promises it made and cited the steps taken to mitigate the sufferings of Wayanad landslide survivors. Govt constructed the township it promised but Congress is yet to build the homes it promised to survivors. It is objectionable that money mobilized for supporting the survivors has not been utilized for that purpose, he said.

Satheesan refuted Vijayan's remark on Congress-RSS links and claimed that the CM was indulging in ‘majority and minority appeasement'. "After facing a setback in 2024 LS elections, Vijayan switched to majority appeasement. He promotes majority, minority communalism according to the situation. He changes his words," claimed Satheesan.

"Vijayan first welcomed Jamaat-e-Islami and later claimed that he had no connection with the outfit. He said that he won't change his stand on Sabarimala women entry issue to secure votes. When he lost the election, he apologized by visiting homes," he said.

Satheesan alleged that CPM could not act against party leaders accused in Sabarimala gold heist case. "This CM is protecting dacoits and robbers and is accusing Rahul Gandhi whom ED questioned for 55 hours. The CM's son received summons, but nobody knows what happened," he alleged.

Responding to CM's allegations about his links with RSS, Satheesan said BJP workers regularly march to his residence. "They have always worked against me. BJP is working to defeat Congress," he said.

On the allegation that he had attended an RSS event in North Paravoor, Satheesan said he used to attend events of all parties to present Congress' stand as part of debates. He said that when KV Thomas was part of the Congress, CPM had invited him to its state convention in Kannur. "Earlier, parties used to invite leaders from other parties for events. Now no one gives an invite," he said.

Satheesan said unlike Vijayan, he did not win elections with RSS support. "During assembly session, when I asked him about a meeting with RSS at Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram for which he did not arrive in his official car, he sat bowing his head. He has not given an answer till date," he said.

Satheesan said he had released a book authored by RSS leader P Parameswaran in Thrissur and CPM leader VS Achuthanandan released the same book in Thiruvananthapuram. TNN & Agencies