THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: General Education and Labour Minister V. Sivankutty stated that KC Venugopal insulted ordinary citizens by claiming that the welfare pension scheme has been converted into a form of bribery. The minister said that Venugopal was mocking the lives of common people.

"Congress leaders should stop belittling and ridiculing ordinary people on election platforms. Venugopal is mocking a scheme that provides relief to 62 lakh families due to the fear of defeat in the elections," Sivankutty said.