EP slams Chennithala’s ‘Mr Chief Minister’ remark; says it reeks of arrogance

Thiruvananthapuram: Strongly criticising former opposition leader and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala for his “Mr. Chief Minister” address to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPM Central Committee member EP Jayarajan said that the use of such language reflected arrogance, adding that the attitude was incurable.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Jayarajan expressed the view that Chennithala was attempting to assert his superiority over Opposition Leader VD Satheesan. "Ramesh Chennithala is trying to create the impression among Congress workers and supporters that VD Satheesan is unfit for his role as opposition leader," he said. "Chennithala wants to convey to Congress supporters that he is the superior leader, and Satheesan is incapable of fulfilling his responsibilities."

Jayarajan further criticised Chennithala, saying, "Today, the serious issue of drug use among students should have been discussed in the Assembly. Instead, the Chief Minister is being addressed in this manner, which reflects the attitude of those calling him by such titles. Would such words be used in front of Sonia Gandhi? Would Rahul Gandhi tolerate such language? This kind of usage has an ulterior motive. It is an attempt to belittle VD Satheesan and assert one's dominance."

Ramesh Chennithala’s repeated use of the term "Mr. Chief Minister" also provoked the Chief Minister. In response, the Chief Minister stood up and asked, "If I am called 'Mr. Chief Minister' while each question is being asked, am I supposed to respond then?" This led to a heated exchange between the ruling and opposition sides, resulting in chaos in the Assembly.