CM ready for debate on UDF MPs' performance; KC responds that Chief Minister can decide place and time

KOZHIKODE: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that he is ready for a debate on the activities of the MPs in Kerala. "Just fix the time and place. Are you ready for a debate?" The Chief Minister's response to K.C. Venugopal's challenge was at the Calicut Press Club's 'Meet the Leader' program.

"Previously, UDF MPs stood together on the common issues of Kerala. However, their current stance is anti-Kerala. An example is the question whether there is a possibility of cancelling or discontinuing Antyodaya and Anna Yojana cards in Kerala, which was declared extreme poverty free. This was asked in Parliament by Kollam and Kozhikode MPs. They tried to portray a wrong picture by asking a question that is not related to the facts. That is the response that is expected from people like KC Venugopal, not a challenge to have a debate.

I have met people from Jamaat-e-Islami before, knowing that they are communalists. They requested to see me and talk to me. I did not give them a good certificate during the meeting at the AKG Centre. Solidarity youth were also with them. 'Aren't these the biggest anti-social elements?' I asked them to their faces".

The Chief Minister also responded to his earlier 'get out' command to the media. 'You should only go where you are called and don't go where you are not called. If you were like that, instead of saying, please go out, I would have said, 'Stay out of the way.' That's all.'

AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal MP told the media that he happily welcomes the Chief Minister's acceptance of the challenge to discuss the activities of UDF MPs and that he can decide the time and place.

"If the Chief Minister is ready, we are ready for a debate tomorrow itself. There was an attempt to mislead the people of Kerala regarding the activities of UDF MPs in Parliament. UDF MPs fought to protect Kerala's interests. UDF MPs have raised many issues in Parliament, including deep-sea fishing, sand mining, shipwrecks, wild animal attacks, and the central government's financial discrimination against the state. UDF MPs do not personally visit central ministers for deals, but they have raised all the issues of Kerala's people's development. The Chief Minister's approach is to justify the Sabarimala gold looters. The Chief Minister's interest in not proceeding with any other investigation is to protect someone," he said.