Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan keeps mum on PR agency involvement
Thiruvananthapuram: The Chief Minister is facing scrutiny over media interventions conducted through a PR agency in response to the challenge raised by MLA P V Anvar. The Opposition's allegation that the Chief Minister's actions align with the PR agency's directives has once again sparked debate with the interview published by ‘The Hindu’.
The remarks made in the interview about increased hawala transactions and gold smuggling in Malappuram, suggesting these are being used for anti-national activities, have caused controversy. The Chief Minister’s press secretary sent a letter to ‘The Hindu’, stating that it is the newspaper that has erred. In a follow-up note acknowledging the mistake, the newspaper clarified that the PR agency approached it on behalf of the Chief Minister, and the issues highlighted in the agency’s note were pointed out as ‘incorrect’ by the Chief Minister's Office. This has currently placed the Chief Minister on the defensive.
The Opposition had been alleging that what the Chief Minister says is written by the PR agency. The Chief Minister denied this at the time, but the recent confirmation of the PR agency’s involvement has led to the recent controversy.
Response - Then and now
The Chief Minister’s press conferences during COVID period in 2020 were very popular. The Opposition had then claimed that the press conferences were conducted solely to enhance the Chief Minister’s image, stating that the PR agency suggests the Chief Minister even when to smile. When asked about this by the media, the Chief Minister's response was as follows:
"You have been walking this path for a while now, haven’t you? It’s not something new. I have also been standing in this space for a while. It’s not the first time we’re seeing each other. We have been aware of each other for quite some time.
“It’s a habit of mine to seek advice from others on how we should converse. Anyone with common sense would not say this. Now you are not asking many questions, right? Let me connect with that PR agency. You are wearing a thing in your ears. There’s nothing like that in my ear. You must be giving suggestions about what to ask. But I have no such thing in my hands. Am I just standing here for free? Aren’t you free to ask? Am I sitting here without answering any questions? Am I waiting for the suggestions of any PR agency? Does this country not know me?"
With ‘The Hindu’ clarifying the involvement of the PR agency in the Chief Minister's interview, these words of the Chief Minister are circulating on social media again.
Silence on PR agency appointment
Neither the Chief Minister nor his office has responded regarding the clarification from ‘The Hindu’ that the PR agency approached them for the interview and that the interview took place in the presence of its representatives. Since the Chief Minister did not deny the newspaper's revelation about the PR agency’s involvement, the intervention is being confirmed.
PR agencies usually devise strategies to enhance the image of their associated parties. Arranging an interview with national media in Delhi is part of that strategy.
Typically, such agencies obtain permission from the involved parties before releasing any related press statements. It remains unclear whether the note meant to accompany the Chief Minister's interview was handed over to the media after obtaining permission from him or those associated with him. Both parties are maintaining silence on this matter, which is curious. There is a lack of clarity regarding who appointed the PR agency on behalf of the Chief Minister and details about their remuneration.