Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 8 (NationPress) AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal launched an incisive critique of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday night, characterizing the Chief Minister’s media engagement earlier that day as “the lament of a defeated captain after losing a war.” He accused Vijayan of catering to majoritarian communal forces as a desperate attempt to restore his political credibility.

In response to the Chief Minister's remarks, Venugopal asserted that the people of Kerala, who cherish peace and communal harmony, would not be swayed by what he termed the “escape tactics” of a leader rattled by political defeats.

He highlighted that the decisive verdict from voters against the LDF in recent local body elections had left the Chief Minister profoundly shaken, leading to what Venugopal termed one of the most dangerous and reckless statements by someone in a constitutional position.

Venugopal further alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan had become the most valuable ally of the Sangh Parivar in Kerala, acting as their spokesperson by expressing views they are reluctant to articulate publicly.

The Chief Minister, according to Venugopal, is now engaged in misguided “research” on how to appease majoritarian communalism.

He dismissed the allegations against the Congress as opportunistic, lacking any factual foundation.

On the subject of historical distortions, Venugopal emphasized that the CPI(M) conveniently shifts its stance on Jamaat-e-Islami, presenting it as a progressive entity when it aligns with the LDF, while labeling it communal otherwise.

He reminded the public that Deshabhimani, the CPI(M)’s publication, had previously thanked Jamaat-e-Islami in 1996, with former state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan expressing gratitude in the Assembly, and Vijayan himself welcoming their support during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

Additionally, he noted Jamaat-e-Islami's alliance with the Left during the Marad riots.

Venugopal criticized the Chief Minister’s remarks about political public relations, questioning whether Vijayan's controversial statements about Malappuram were made upon the advice of PR agencies.

He asserted that a Chief Minister tasked with upholding communal harmony lacks the moral authority to make comments that could incite unrest.

He cautioned against seeking votes by exacerbating communal divisions or inciting hatred.

In response to claims of a corruption-free Kerala, Venugopal accused the government of providing protection to those implicated in the alleged gold theft linked to Sabarimala, deeming its anti-corruption narrative hollow.

The SIT report submitted in court, he argued, is enough to unveil the contradictions in the Chief Minister's claims.

Addressing the assertion that the LDF would secure 110 Assembly seats, Venugopal predicted that the upcoming election would result in the CPI(M)’s most humiliating defeat, with Pinarayi Vijayan bearing the brunt of that blame.