Can the Aromas of Arabia Mask CM Vijayan's Corruption?

Malappuram, June 2 (NationPress) Criticizing the performance of the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his administration, which has been in power for nine years, AICC General Secretary and Alappuzha Lok Sabha representative K.C. Venugopal on Monday expressed his discontent with the situation in Kerala.

“It has reached a point where not even all the perfumes of Arabia can conceal the corruption associated with Vijayan,” remarked Venugopal.

He made these comments during the launch of the Nilambur Assembly bye-election convention and urged the residents of Nilambur to vote for Aryadan Shoukath, which he believes could lead to the end of CM Vijayan's tenure, especially with the 2026 Assembly elections approaching.

Venugopal, who holds the position of Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, expressed his shock at the revelations regarding the degradation of National Highway (NH)-66 during a meeting he attended last week in Malappuram.

“I was astonished by the CM’s reaction when the news broke about multiple sections of NH-66 deteriorating. Despite being in Malappuram for two days, he did not visit any of the affected areas,” Venugopal noted.

“Having participated in discussions with the Chairman of the National Highway Authority of India and the Transport Secretary, I am aware that significant corruption occurred during the construction of NH-66, yet Vijayan remains silent on the matter,” he added.

Responding to CM Vijayan’s comments about being labeled 'treacherous', Venugopal stated that if anyone deserved that title, it would be Vijayan himself, referencing the Chief Minister's previous derogatory remarks about Malappuram in an interview.

“Vijayan stated that 'in the last five years, Kerala Police seized 150 kg of gold and hawala money worth Rs 123 crore from Malappuram. This money is being funneled into Kerala for anti-State and anti-national activities'. Such statements are an affront to Malappuram,” Venugopal elaborated.

“Another striking example of Vijayan's disloyalty is how he aided the BJP candidate Suresh Gopi in Thrissur Lok Sabha by creating confusion during the renowned Thrissur Pooram festivities,” he pointed out.

The Nilambur elections are set for June 19 following the resignation of a two-term Left Independent legislator due to differences with CM Vijayan.

Among the candidates contesting are Aryadan Shoukath from Congress, M. Swaraj from CPI-M, Mohan George from BJP, and Anvar, representing the All India Trinamool Congress.