Pinarayi attacks internal moves after Payyannur defeat; accuses UDF of pandering to RSS

KANNUR: Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan has criticised what he described as “hostile moves” from within the CPI(M) that contributed to the party’s defeat in its stronghold of Payyannur. Speaking at political explanation meetings in Payyannur and Mathil, Pinarayi accused those in the party leadership of joining hands with its opponents and using them to campaign against the CPI(M).

“They worked with the aim of destroying the party. They did everything that a communist should not do,” he said. He specifically accused Kunjikrishnan of becoming “an axe in the hands of the enemy”.

The Payyannur constituency was formed in 1965 and the CPI(M) won all 15 elections held there until 2021. Pinarayi said he had secured a major victory from the constituency in 1996. Payyannur remained a CPI(M) stronghold even after the 2008 delimitation.
Pinarayi said the party traditionally takes strict action against those who commit mistakes. He appealed to those who had “strayed” to a limited extent to correct their mistakes and return to the party fold.

UDF in hurry to appease RSS, alleges Pinarayi

Pinarayi also accused the UDF government of being in a hurry to implement the PM SHRI scheme. He alleged that the change in government had brought changes to Kerala’s established approach, citing the recitation of Vande Mataram at the swearing-in ceremony of the Council of Ministers.

The demand for including two non-Muslims in the Waqf Board was an RSS agenda, Pinarayi alleged. He said the Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution against the demand, but the position changed after the government changed. The UDF government subsequently informed the court that the Waqf Board could be reconstituted by including non-Muslims, he said.

Pinarayi also criticised the government for not speaking out against the Governor over his actions in the higher education sector.
He further alleged that the Opposition and right-wing media had mounted a coordinated campaign against the second LDF government.