‘Pinarayi Vijayan is not Pinarayi, he is Nunarayi’: VD Satheesan’s sharp attack on Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, calling him “Nunarayi” (Nuna translates to lie) and daring him to an open debate, as the political heat intensifies ahead of the Assembly elections.

“Pinarayi Vijayan is not Pinarayi. He is 'Nunarayi'... Whether the label 'Nuneshan' or 'Nunarayi' fits better remains to be seen, but I officially challenge the Chief Minister to an open debate because I only speak after thorough study, and these attempts to brand me a liar are a desperate smear campaign reminiscent of a Sankaradi film plot to frame someone,” Satheesan said.

Satheesan’s response came in the wake of Vijayan’s claim that the United Democratic Front (UDF) is resorting to blatant lies regarding the Social Democratic Party of India's (SDPI) support in Malappuram, aiming to divert attention from its pro-corporate and globalist policies.

"The LDF remains a government of action that delivers on its promises, earning a historic second term based on tangible developmental changes that the public recognises. However, the UDF led by figures like Ramesh Chennithala and VD Satheesan is now resorting to a desperate campaign of blatant lies and baseless allegations regarding SDPI support in Malappuram to distract from their own pro-corporate, globalist policies. While the opposition competes to spread misinformation and attempts to paint the LDF's strategy of fielding independent candidates in a negative light, the reality remains that while they point fingers, it was RSS leadership that explicitly called for supporting UDF votes," he said in a press conference on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Satheesan reiterated his charge of a covert understanding between the CPM and the BJP-led NDA in Kerala, alleging that the Left government is going soft on the Centre to stall investigations into key corruption cases.

“Everything was compromised. No ED, no CBI, nothing in Kerala. The SNC-Lavalin case has been postponed 40 times in the Supreme Court because the CBI lawyer does not appear. The ED started investigations against the CM's son and daughter, but no action followed. The Chief Minister is attacking Rahul Gandhi in abusive language only to be in the good books of the BJP because he is scared of the central agencies,” he added.

Hits back at RSS link allegations

Satheesan also dismissed allegations made by Hindu Aikya Vedi leader RV Babu, who claimed that the Congress leader had sought RSS support in past elections.

“RV Babu is an anti-Congressman who moved to Paravur after committing fraud. I have not met any RSS leader to ask for help in the election; RV Babu and the Chief Minister are now on the same side. It was Pinarayi Vijayan who held discussions with RSS leaders and sent MR Ajith Kumar for those talks. Answer this allegation first,” Satheesan said.

He further alleged that former ADGP M R Ajith Kumar had met RSS leaders in 2023, a claim the Congress says influenced the BJP’s victory in the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat in 2024.

“The problem only arises when the Welfare Party supports the UDF, but there was no issue when the PDP supported the LDF,” Satheesan said.

‘No vendetta, but will probe’

On whether a UDF government would act against Vijayan, Satheesan said action would be taken without political vendetta.

“We will expose him. We have exposed him. This deal is open. But we are not talking about that. We have five guarantees, we have future politics, and we have alternative programs. We will go. We will change Kerala like anything,” he said.

“We have made some allegations against the government. We will not take our government for taking vengeance. But in serious matters, we will enquire. We will investigate, definitely,” he added.