'Pinarayi is not someone who walks away from meal because he is served tuna fish; he will once again become CM'

PALAKKAD: Former minister and CPI leader K E Ismail has expressed support for poet K. Satchidanandan’s remarks on continuous rule in Kerala. Speaking to a private television channel, Ismail said there should be caution to ensure that continued governance does not lead to misuse of power. He added that the LDF has been able to prevent such misuse to a certain extent. Ismail said he believes the LDF government will return to power and that Pinarayi Vijayan will once again become the Chief Minister of Kerala.

Reacting to CPI leader C Divakaran’s remarks about Pinarayi Vijayan, Ismail said he does not know the basis of the comment. “Pinarayi is not someone who will walk away from a meal because he is served tuna fish,” he said, defending the Chief Minister. He also stated that V S Sunil Kumar should be given another chance to contest, adding that if winnability is the main criterion, Sunil Kumar can contest again.

Earlier, poet and Kerala Sahitya Akademi chairman K Satchidanandan had said that “continuous rule by the same party is not good for democracy”. He criticised that if the Communist Party comes to power again, opportunists may join the Left and use the party for personal interests. He said that in a democracy, it is a general principle that ruling and opposition parties should alternate in power. According to him, when a party continues in power for a long time, even those not committed to its ideals may join it. Writers Sarah Joseph and others also came forward supporting Satchidanandan's stand. Sarah Joseph said that a change in government is necessary for the survival of the Communist Party.