THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the government facing the heat due to the anti-Malappuram remark made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in an interview with The Hindu, the Chief Minister continues to sidestep the issue without giving a clear response.

During the press conference on Thursday, the Chief Minister sought to clarify that neither he nor the government had engaged a PR agency, asserting that not a single paisa was spent on one. However, he dodged questions regarding whether a case would be filed against the newspaper that published the report and the PR agency supposedly involved. He concluded the conference by turning off the microphone, saying that no matter how much the media tries, his reputation cannot be harmed.

The Chief Minister clarified that it was TK Devakumar's son Subramanian who told him that The Hindu had asked for an interview.

“A youngster, son of former Alappuzha MLA TK Devakumar, asked my time for an interview with ‘The Hindu’. Devakumar has been with me since childhood and is known for his clear political stance. When he recommended me for an interview, I gave a yes nod. When the interview was published, it contained parts that I had not said. I don't have the habit of talking against any district or sect. It is not right to publish something that one did not say. That's why the newspaper expressed regret. The things that I said in the interview were recorded on a phone. Meanwhile, it must be checked if the journalist had obtained the controversial part from Subramanian. Devakumar's son hasn't contacted me since. I'm unaware of any agency or individual involved," the CM said.

"Midway through the interview, another man came into the room and I didn’t know who he was. Later, I got to know that it was a PR agency fellow," he added.

Questions that troubled CM

1 Didn't The Hindu say that a PR agency approached them for an interview?
2. Do you give permission for a third person to enter the room during the interview?
3. Will you seek a written explanation from Subramanian for providing false statements?
4. 2. Will you order a probe into Subramanian's actions and take necessary measures?
5. Will you file a case against the newspaper for publishing things that you did not say?