THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday alleged that there was a conspiracy behind the deep sea fishing controversy. Speaking after inaugurating the DYFI Yuvamahasangamam at Shangumugham, the CM said that the opposition had conspired to mislead the fishermen in order to overcome the humiliating defeat in the local body elections.

"There are some evil spirits in our state who are not reluctant to do anything. They should realize that such tricks will not work in Kerala. Some suffered major setbacks in the local body elections. The controversy is the result of their attempt to stir up emotions of fishermen to overcome it," the CM said. When such an MoU is signed, the secretary of that department is usually required to know. The CM said that the secretary was not aware of the signing of the MoU.