Have Left Supporters Abandoned Vijayan’s Government? Satheesan Claims So
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Kannur, Feb 9 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, remarked on Monday that even dedicated Communists and Left supporters have lost their trust in the government led by Pinarayi Vijayan. He emphasized that poet Sachidanandan’s recent comments reflect the current sentiment among the public in Kerala.
Speaking to reporters in Thalassery, Satheesan, who is spearheading the Congress-led UDF’s Puthuyuga Yatra, stated that longstanding Left sympathizers now contend that the CPI(M) should not remain in power any longer.
He accused the party and the government of straying from traditional Left politics, asserting that they have moved towards an extreme Right ideology. He criticized the CPI(M) for employing techniques similar to those of the BJP to foster religious division within the state.
According to Satheesan, minority groups feel increasingly vulnerable, alleging that the CPI(M) engaged in minority appeasement during parliamentary elections, only to switch to majority appeasement later, which has led to a loss of support from both sides.
“There is utter confusion, and those who have supported the Left for decades recognize this,” he stated.
Discussing the Sabarimala gold theft incident, he noted that three CPI(M) leaders are currently incarcerated for purportedly stealing offerings meant for Lord Ayyappa. He cautioned that further investigations could lead to more party leaders facing imprisonment.
Satheesan alleged that the government is pressuring the Special Investigation Team to protect those implicated.
He highlighted that the theft occurred in 2019 while Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was in charge, and pointed out that two Devaswom presidents appointed under his administration are among those jailed.
In response to the controversy surrounding Congress MP Adoor Prakash’s questioning over a photo with Unnikrishnan Potti, Satheesan stated that the Opposition is not opposed to Prakash being interrogated but demands that Chief Minister Vijayan also face questioning regarding similar photographs.
Furthermore, he criticized the government for failing to address the issues raised during public engagements under the Puthuyuga Yatra, such as agricultural distress, wildlife attacks, the shutdown of spinning mills, wage arrears, and land acquisition challenges linked to KINFRA, highways, and airport initiatives.
Satheesan announced that the UDF will introduce alternative policy documents across various sectors, including a health vision document to be unveiled in Kozhikode, which will propose solutions for the government’s failures.