'Chief Minister can decide the place and time'; opposition leader declares willingness for public debate

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader VD Satheesan said he is ready for a public debate on the issues raised by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The opposition leader said that he would like to humbly remind the Chief Minister that two comrades are in jail in connection with the Sabarimala gold robbery. Satheesan added that the Chief Minister can decide the place and date for the discussion and that he thinks the suggestion will be accepted.

"The shamelessness of the Chief Minister and other leaders who are criticising the Congress and the UDF while holding the jailed thieves close is astounding. The Congress in Kerala is standing tall by taking a stand that no other party in the country has taken so far in the rape complaint against an MLA. Are the two people involved in the sexual assault case still not with the Chief Minister? The picture of the Chief Minister holding their hands up is still in front of the Kerala public."

"Who is the Chief Minister's political secretary? Who sits in the Chief Minister's office and controls the police? What is his past history? Who was the complainant in that case? What is the status of the complainant in the party now? A film activist had filed a complaint with the Chief Minister the other day against a comrade whom the party had honoured by giving him an MLA post. How many days was it kept hidden? Why did the Chief Minister's office delay in handing it over to the police?

"The Congress, which has taken exemplary action, is being blamed by the Chief Minister of Kerala and his party, who are holding more than a dozen sexual abuse accused and criminals close to them. I stand by my statement. The Chief Minister and the party are on the defensive. I congratulate the Chief Minister for being ready for a debate at least now, even as advised by the PR agency," said Satheesan.