Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected suggestions that he has grown to be an unchallenged dictator within the party and the government. In a Manorama News interview, he insisted that all decisions were being taken collectively.
“There are people who stand up to me in the party and the government. I am not naming them,” he said in response to a question in ‘Nere Chovve’.
Highlights of the interview:
On his dominance in the party and LDF government
I did my responsibility as a party secretary and chief minister. I cannot take full credit for the achievements of the government; the party, my comrades and all the cadre have a role.
On BJP's threat
Why does the BJP grow into the space once commanded by Congress in other states? Congress is hesitant to take on communalism directly. The border between Congress and the BJP is getting blurred. Congress leaders switch to the BJP as effortlessly as changing a shirt. The UDF and the BJP are cooperating in Kerala at a certain level.
On allegations against the government
It is not proper to raise fabricated allegations ahead of an election. There was a conspiracy related to deep-sea trawling. That doubt was strengthened when an EMCC representative became a candidate (in Kundara).
On Sabarimala
Everyone except some political forces is convinced about the government’s stand on the Sabarimala issue. I am not sure what troubles the NSS. Sabarimala is no longer an issue.
On electoral prospects
I am not personally responsible for the ongoing propaganda on the continuity of the LDFgovernment (after the state polls). The victory (in assembly polls) would be beacuse of the party and the Left alliance. There is no question of defeat.
On pre-poll surveys
If all election surveys are favourable, it may lead to overconfidence. We have to be vigilant in a political fight.
On arrested bureaucrat Sivasankar
M Sivasankar was an excellent officer. I had never heard of even any gossip on him. He was friendly with that woman (Swapna Suresh). I do not know how close they were, but he went out of his way in appointing her. That is why he had to face action.
Dollar-smuggling case
We are not dismissing the findings of the dollar smuggling case. Only the agencies know what they are talking about. We have to be be vigilant about likely political motives.
On contesting another time
Now is not the time to say whether the two-term norm (of the CPM about candidacy) is applicable to Pinarayi. The CPM will decide it before the next election.
On former CM VS Achuthanandan's absence
VS Achuthanandan is not able to campaign due to health reasons. We are feeling his absence.
