KOCHI: Opposition leader V D Satheesan came forward supporting the traders protesting in Kozhikode. Satheesan said that it is not right from the side of the chief minister to accept the language of intimidation against traders. He said this is nothing but a language not to be used by a chief minister. The chief minister has the language of the party secretary. Don’t try to rule by threatening others. If the chief minister decides to go this way, the UDF will stand with the traders. Everyone has the right to protest peacefully and that the ministers should not just be for signing files, he said.

KPCC chief K Sudhakaran alleged that the chief minister's statement that if the traders break rules, they will be dealt with sternly, is like street language. He said the Congress will stand with the traders if police down the shutters.

The CM is challenging those on the verge of suicide. It is not a word that should come from the chief minister. Not a war with traders, talks are needed. The traders are protesting to survive. Why the government cannot accept it, asked Sudhakaran. The restrictions in the state should be relaxed, he said.

The tone and tenure of the chief minister is what is heard in the streets. We, the Congress party stand solidly behind the protesters as they have raised a very genuine need, as their lives have all gone haywire due to the pandemic. Instead of resolving their needs and demands, the chief minister was wrong in taking on them through this type of language, said Sudhakaran and added that while the Covid spread has slowed down all across the country, it continues to rage in Kerala, which means there is something wrong somewhere.

There is no politics in the action of the governor fasting on the issue of women's security. The TPR rising is a fall in government’s planning. Delhi and Tamil Nadu don’t have much restrictions now. The situation there is better than here. Sudhakaran alleged that when the chief minister met the Prime Minister in Delhi, he did not mention about the shortage of vaccine, discussed only revenue generating schemes.

The chief minister had warned the traders at a press conference yesterday that if they break rules, they will be dealt with sternly and that they should not turn smart. Meanwhile, A M Arif has written to the chief minister asking him to allow shops to be opened adhering to Covid norms.

Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi, owing allegiance to the Left Front, came forward against the closure of shops as part of Covid restrictions. Now all eyes are on the traders’ protests which they have called on Thursday to demand that they be allowed to start operations even when the Covid protocols are in place and it remains to be seen if they will forcefully open their shops.