Kerala polls: Pinarayi hits out at Congress, says ‘we don’t stoop to political opportunism for a few votes’

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday (March 27, 2026) strongly rejected allegations by Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan that the CPI(M) had colluded with the RSS, calling the charge “utter nonsense” and accusing the Congress of “a history of opportunistic alliances.”

Addressing a press conference in Thrissur, Mr. Vijayan said he had been a prime target of the RSS since the early days of his political life. “Everyone knows how the RSS viewed me. I was one of their main targets. Now, there seems to be no hesitation in making baseless claims,” he said.

Hitting back at the Congress, the Chief Minister alleged that it was the party that had repeatedly aligned with communal forces for electoral gains. He pointed out that a former Congress State president (from Kannur) himself had admitted to extending protection for the RSS branch from the Marxists.

The Chief Minister also questioned whom the Congress had aligned with to defeat E. M. S. Namboodiripad in Pattambi, alleging that it was as part of that understanding that the Jana Sangham withdrew its candidate then. “Isn’t that a matter of history?” he asked.

Referring to the Palakkad election when A. K. Gopalan contested, the Chief Minister alleged that the Congress and the RSS had effectively backed a common candidate, who was an RSS district functionary. “Those who have indulged in such shameful practices then, later and even now — can their allegations against the Left, which have consistently taken a strong stand against communalism and fascism, be taken seriously?” he asked.

“Let me repeat what I often say — we do not indulge in political opportunism for a handful of votes or a few seats,” he added.

LDF’s development model

Shifting focus to governance, the Chief Minister highlighted the LDF government’s development and welfare initiatives. He cited the Life Mission housing scheme, under which nearly 5 lakh houses have been completed across the State, noting that the project had faced “unwarranted obstruction” in Thrissur.

He also pointed out that the State government had invested around ₹19,000 crore in the scheme, compared to the Centre’s share of ₹2,300 crore. Another major initiative, the Punargeham project for fishermen, saw an investment of ₹2,480 crore, he said.

Emphasising the LDF’s development model, he said the government remains committed to taking forward growth and social welfare together, positioning it as a key plank of the front’s electoral campaign.