Kerala Chief Minister and CPI(M) politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan is leading the Left Democratic Front (LDF) charge in the elections, as the alliance seeks an unprecedented third consecutive term in the state assembly elections on April 9. At 81, he exudes confidence of victory, regrets Congress being the ‘B team of the BJP’ and predicts the BJP will once again get no seats, as he sits for an interview. The Hindu Pinarayi in his constituency, Dharmadam. Edited excerpts:
A large number of outgoing MLAs have been re-nominated by the Left Front. No anti-incumbency wave?
There is no anti-incumbency because people feel that the government has tried to the best of its abilities to implement what the people wanted. Ten years ago, Kerala was in a dilapidated condition, but we brought about a paradigm shift in all sectors. Now, our Vision 2031 outlines achievable goals in each sector to develop Kerala with modern times.
Our youth want the higher education sector to be further strengthened. If in 2016 no institute from Kerala was included in the top 100 institutes at the national level, now eighteen colleges from Kerala are in the list. It is the result of proactive interventions, which demands continuity.
We have promoted research, modern courses and skill development of youth, linked academia with industry. Our industry-friendliness is attracting top players from around the world and all except red industries are welcome. We have an excellent startup ecosystem.
But despite this, the Left has suffered a severe setback in the recent local body elections.
Each election follows a unique pattern. This was a local election and we faced setbacks at some places which does not reflect the public sentiment in the entire state. We are now feeling a favorable environment.
The BJP is pushing the slogan of ‘Develop Kerala’ but the Left accuses the Center of suppressing the state.
While it is now chanting ‘Develop Kerala’, has the Center done anything for the development of Kerala? Despite repeated appeals and great achievements in public healthcare, we have not got AIIMS. When the state was hit by disasters, the Center not only turned its back but also stopped aid from countries that have close ties with Kerala. Has any other state in India been treated so disrespectfully in the event of a disaster? It was just us. Does this not reflect a mentality that wants to see the state destroyed?
The Center sided with those who had opposed the K-Rail project on political grounds to enhance our transport infrastructure.
Was there any help when Wayanad was hit by landslides? Now, when it offers to ‘develop Kerala’, don’t people see the duplicity? They do!
The state has not been given its fair share in taxes and our borrowing limits have been significantly reduced. Isn’t this all a spirit of vengeance?
What is your opinion on BJP’s Christian outreach and the Left’s relationship with the community?
We have good relations with all communities. All sections of Christians together form a large community in the state and have good relations with the government. BJP may make many wishes, but nothing is going to be accomplished and there will be no unity in its favor.
Will SIR affect election results?
Concerns have been raised about SIR in some constituencies, where voter turnout has fallen sharply. But there should be more clarity on this.
How will you stop BJP in its tracks? Who is better prepared to do this, Congress or the Left?
Congress is unable to do this. It also acts as the B-team of BJP at the national level. Only the Left has staunchly opposed the BJP, which it will continue to do even more strongly. And this time also BJP is not likely to get any electoral advantage.
At the national level, a united fight against the BJP is possible, but Congress always thwarts such efforts by spoiling the atmosphere and giving the BJP an edge. Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi refuse to learn from their mistakes.
What sir? Sudhakaran, Ayesha Potty, S. Rajendran, CC Mukundan, P.K. Are the Left in Kerala on the defensive after Sasi and former MLAs like him joined Congress and BJP? There is rebellion in Kannur also.
It is the greed for position and the loss of values ​​that has driven them all. Despite being well recognized, G. Sudhakaran could not cope with the party’s policy of age-retirement from committees. He betrayed the party, conspired with UDF and is contesting elections.
Same is the condition of others also. It is heard that S. Rajendran also needs the help of BJP to resolve some issues. TK Govindan’s grievance was that no one proposed his candidature in the committee and he chose to become the ax in the hands of the UDF against the CPI(M).
All of them betrayed the party. But we will achieve a massive victory in all the constituencies where they are contesting.
Sudhakaran is in Alappuzha, our most beloved district, in whose soil the memories and traditions of the Punnapra-Vayalar rebellion are deeply rooted. Alappuzha will not be influenced by any misguided person who behaves like himself.
And TK Govindan decided to hide his greed by questioning the candidature of PK Shyamala, who is married to CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan. Her candidature is most suitable, as she has held many responsibilities in the party and even before her marriage she was a DYFI worker and active party member. It has its own identity.
There are allegations of collapse of the public health sector.
Media houses like yours should investigate why there is sudden uproar over health sector issues. The public health sector in Kerala has grown significantly since 2016, when it was in a state of decline, and this has helped us overcome challenges including the pandemic. We went ahead and got better IMR 5 from US. Even the affluent are now using public health institutions. But multinational monopolies are taking over our private hospitals, increasing health expenditure. The smear campaign against the public health system is for their benefit.
Sabarimala gold theft and government’s arguments in Supreme Court – will it impact the elections?
This is not going to have any impact on us because people have understood its truth. The High Court is monitoring the investigation and has made it clear that there is no outside interference. The investigation is in the right direction and no culprit will be spared.
As far as the presentations are concerned, we answered a bunch of questions with clarity. The issue of women’s entry into the temple was not part of the questions. We reiterate what we said in 2007: that religious scholars, experts and social reformers should be consulted when addressing the question of temple customs and rituals.
Your repeated statements against Jamaat-e-Islami (Hind) are being interpreted as an attack on the Muslim community.
To silence us, an attempt is made to portray us as anti-Hindu when we attack RSS and anti-Muslim when we speak against JEI. We have not and will not continue to speak against both majority and minority communalism. A large section of the majority and minority communities are secular and we stand with them.
Is the loss of livelihood and increase in fuel prices the reason?War in West Asia an election issue?
Any issue that affects people can become an election issue. A large number of people who vote in our state have to travel from abroad to do so. Despite difficulties, they come down and vote. But they are all worried about the emerging situation. Our home kitchens are being affected. There are people who depend on eateries for food and are now facing hardship. Fuel shortage is being felt on a large scale.
If we had implemented the gas pipeline from Iran, we would not have been in this situation. It was the Manmohan Singh led government that closed the project under pressure from the US. This was done during the nuclear deal when it was said that America would give us fuel. Are they giving anything? Still, we are promoting America’s interests.
Was the Global Ayyappa Sangamam a wrong move?
Never. It was the Travancore Devaswom Board that organized the event. Sabarimala is the most important temple managed by the board, and people from all over the world visit this temple. The intention of the board was to bring them all together and highlight it. Was no step taken to organize a parallel Ayyappa Sangamam? It failed miserably. Our Ayyappa Sangamam was a resounding success and attracted a secular community.
