Chief Minister criticizes Congress boycott of Nava Kerala Sadas, calls for constructive engagement

THRISSUR: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while inaugurating the Nava Kerala Sadas in the Manalur constituency at Pavaratti St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School ground expressed disappointment over the Congress party's decision to boycott the event. Despite their absence, certain Congress leaders attended the assembly session.

'Nava Kerala Sadas, aimed at discussing the state's future trajectory was intended to be a non-partisan platform for inclusive dialogue', said Pinarayi. However, the absence of opposition members led to criticism from the Chief Minister, emphasizing the importance of constructive engagement in governance matters.

Senior Congress leader AV Gopinathan's attendance at the morning meeting in Palakkad resulted in his reported suspension from the party. Gopinathan expressed his confusion regarding the boycott highlighting the significance of the entire cabinet's participation and questioning the absence of the Palakkad MLA.

Congressman EK Divakaran, present at the morning meeting in Thrissur, emphasized his commitment to his party while expressing readiness to face any consequences. He stated his attendance was to listen to the government's viewpoints and participate in discussions about the state's progress.

Chief Minister Vijayan, during his remarks noted that the opposition's boycott lacked constructive engagement and resulted in missed opportunities for meaningful dialogue. He emphasized the importance of understanding the public sentiment across constituencies, highlighting the citizens' independence from political dependencies.

The event's objective, focused on evaluating the state's status and planning future strategies faced criticism due to the opposition's absence and subsequent clashes of opinion. The Chief Minister urged for a more collaborative approach to governance, where dissent is voiced constructively within the established forums.