UDF, LDF lock horns over Malappuram remark and welfare pension; campaigning intensifies in Nilambur

MALAPPURAM: The Nilambur by-election campaign has intensified as both the UDF and LDF focus on high-voltage controversies to woo voters. The UDF has turned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s controversial comments on Malappuram into a key campaign issue, while the LDF has retaliated by using Congress leader K.C. Venugopal’s remarks on welfare pensions as a counteroffensive.

The campaign has gained momentum with both fronts sharpening their attacks, aware of the dual-edged nature of the controversies involved. The Congress is seeking to attract minority votes beyond its traditional base, positioning itself as the main opposition to the ruling LDF. On the other hand, the LDF is targeting common voters by alleging that the Congress is trying to block the distribution of social welfare pensions.

Malappuram controversy ignites political firestorm
The row began after Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan accused the Chief Minister’s media team of maligning Malappuram. According to Satheesan, the CM’s PR team circulated notes to Delhi-based media portraying Malappuram as a hub for gold smuggling and extremism. He also claimed the CM gave a newspaper interview reinforcing this narrative.

“There was a Sangh Parivar agenda behind this portrayal. A. Vijayaraghavan even said Priyanka Gandhi won because of votes from terrorists,” said Satheesan.

In response, CPIM leaders accused the Congress of hypocrisy, recalling that the party had once marched alongside the Jan Sangh in opposition to the formation of Malappuram district. Vijayaraghavan also accused the UDF of giving communal colour to political issues for electoral gain.

Welfare pension
Meanwhile, K.C. Venugopal’s statement referring to social welfare pensions as a form of “bribe” has triggered sharp criticism from the LDF. The CPM secretariat demanded an apology from Venugopal, calling his remarks an insult to the common people of Kerala.

At a UDF convention in Nilambur, Venugopal had alleged that the LDF government was using the release of two pending instalments of welfare pensions as an election tactic. “The government is trying to conceal the financial crisis faced by ordinary people by selectively clearing pension dues during the poll period,” he said.

However, Venugopal stood firm, refusing to retract his statement. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal accused the Congress of demeaning pension beneficiaries, calling the remarks deeply offensive.