Kozhikode: Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas has stated that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is the "head of the Left." He added that Pinarayi is being targeted in an attempt to dismantle the Left-led government.

The minister, who is also the son-in-law of the Chief Minister, was speaking in connection with a controversy surrounding an interview allegedly provided by a PR agency on behalf of the Chief Minister. In response to a question about the interview published in The Hindu, which was claimed to be from the Chief Minister, he remarked, "If the media has any shame regarding the propaganda that the Chief Minister of Kerala insulted Malappuram district and religious minorities, they should be prepared to apologise."

Riyas noted that terming Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been shaped by communist stalwart EMS, insulting the entire Malappuram district is a serious matter. He also questioned whether the media had overlooked propaganda from certain forces claiming that the Chief Minister sought to malign religious minorities.

"The Chief Minister's press secretary stated that certain remarks were not made. During a public meeting in Kozhikode, the Chief Minister clarified that he did not make any statements against Malappuram district or minorities. He questioned how many people would be willing to correct the news that the Chief Minister said something derogatory about Malappuram district and minorities. He expressed willingness to show regret, and when that argument is dismantled, he is ready with the next CD. Those involved will provide more details."

"It is well known that the Chief Minister does not require a PR agency to give an interview. All journalists have seen how the Chief Minister conducts press conferences. The media and society are well aware of how the Chief Minister has interacted with journalists during his tenure as party state secretary from 1998 to 2024 (tenure in key roles)," he said.

"The media has an anti-Left agenda. As part of their anti-Left sentiment, the media views the remaining Left government in India as being in Kerala. It must be dismantled. To dismantle it, the head of Kerala must be targeted. The Chief Minister is that head. That is what the media is doing now," he added.