'Don't hold out your mics': Pinarayi Vijayan snaps at media in Delhi

NEW DELHI: CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan reacted angrily to media personnel in the national capital when questioned about alleged internal rifts within the party over the Vizhinjam seaport project. Meanwhile, CPI(M) Kerala state secretary M.V. Govindan dismissed reports of any factionalism, asserting that the party maintains a completely unified stance on the matter.

Pinarayi Vijayan, who is in New Delhi to attend the CPI(M) Central Committee meeting, lost his temper when journalists confronted him at Kerala House during a break in the sessions. Expressing his displeasure at the media scrum, he remarked, "If I have anything to say, I will say it. You do not need to stand there holding out your microphones."

This followed an earlier confrontation in the morning when Pinarayi snapped at reporters while leaving for the committee meeting. As a crowd of media personnel gathered closely around his designated vehicle, he told them sharply, "Just because you want news, you do not have to block the car door from closing."

Addressing the media separately, CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan clarified that there is absolute consensus within the party regarding the Vizhinjam issue. He stated that the party's firm position is that any transfer of shares related to the project must strictly be executed only after obtaining prior permission from the government.

Govindan also strongly rejected allegations that the Left front had provided absolute support to the Adani Group. Turning the accountability onto the opposition, he demanded that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi provide answers, reiterating that the contract for the project was originally signed during the tenure of the Oommen Chandy-led government. He further added that the Chief Minister has not yet given a clear response to queries regarding the trip to Mangalapuram.