Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Open to Public Debate with Opposition

Kerala Chief Minister's Willingness for Debate

On Sunday, Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, expressed his readiness to engage in a public debate regarding the protests by the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs in Parliament. He urged the opposition to propose a date and time for this discussion.

Vijayan's comments came in response to inquiries from reporters about a statement made by K.C. Venugopal, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary, who questioned whether Vijayan was open to a public debate on the matter.

Venugopal's remarks followed recent criticisms from a senior left leader, who pointed out that UDF MPs have failed to address Kerala's developmental issues in Parliament and have often taken stances against the state's interests.

Vijayan affirmed, "I am certainly ready for a public debate. Let them decide the time and place." He also questioned whether Venugopal was unaware of the UDF MPs' protests in the state.

The Chief Minister accused UDF MPs of collaborating with the central government in efforts that he claims are detrimental to Kerala. He alleged that these opposition MPs have even advised the central government to adopt a stance against the state.

Furthermore, Vijayan claimed that after Kerala was recently declared a state free from extreme poverty, opposition MPs attempted to raise questions in Parliament aimed at abolishing all Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards in the state.