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Pinarayi says mainstream media boycotting Left

Vijayan accused the mainstream media of distorting the Left’s stance on national issues and using opinion polls to create false narratives…reports Asian Lite News

In the final stretch before the Lok Sabha polls in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has made scathing remarks against the mainstream media, accusing them of bias and propagating falsehoods against the Left. With only a few days left until the crucial election day on April 26, Vijayan has taken to social media to voice his concerns and rally support for what he perceives as an unjust media landscape.

Vijayan asserted that the mainstream media outlets are deliberately sidelining the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) while amplifying and sensationalizing accusations from the right-wing opposition. According to Vijayan, favourable news about the LDF is ignored, while even minor incidents are blown out of proportion to paint the left-wing in a negative light. This imbalance, he argued, undermines the democratic process by depriving voters of accurate information and influencing public opinion.

The Chief Minister commended the role of left-leaning social media platforms in countering these narratives. He applauded their efforts in exposing falsehoods and calls for continued vigilance in challenging media monopolies and organized propaganda. Vijayan sees these independent voices on social media as essential for ensuring a more balanced and inclusive media landscape, where diverse perspectives can thrive without censorship or distortion.

Furthermore, Vijayan accused the mainstream media of distorting the Left’s stance on national issues and using opinion polls to create false narratives. He argued that this manipulation of information undermines the democratic principles of transparency and informed decision-making. By contrast, Vijayan praises the grassroots efforts of thousands of individual social media users who have rallied behind the Left cause, regardless of their political affiliations.

Vijayan’s critique extends beyond the current electoral context to encompass broader concerns about media integrity and democratic values. He highlighted the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression and promoting alternative media outlets that prioritize truth and accountability. In his view, the rise of citizen journalism and social media activism represents a pivotal shift towards a more democratic and inclusive media ecosystem.

Looking back at past electoral battles, Vijayan recalled how sections of the media launched a smear campaign against the Left during the last Assembly elections. Despite these challenges, he emphasized, the people of Kerala delivered a resounding victory for the communists, underscoring the resilience of their support base against media bias.

Vijayan called on all citizens to join the fight for media plurality and democratic accountability. He urged them to support alternative media cultures and remain vigilant against attempts to manipulate public discourse. For Vijayan, the battle for fair and transparent elections is inseparable from the broader struggle for social justice and democratic rights.

Wayanad DCC secy joins BJP

In yet another blow to the Congress party amid the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the country, Wayand district committee general secretary PM Sudhakaran quit the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday.

After joining the BJP, PM Sudhakaran said that Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi was “not even accessible” to him.

“How can such a politician be accessible to the common man?,” he added.

Admiring Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision for development, Sudhakaran said he wants Kerala BJP chief to emerge victorious from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat.

“BJP is a party that has more relevance in today’s society. For the development projects of PM Modi to be implemented, K Surendran should be elected as the MP from Wayanad and I will strive towards that. If the people of Wayanad elect state president of BJP, K Surendran, the people of Wayanad are going to benefit from it,” said PM Sudhakaran at a function held where a retired forest range officer Shashi Kumar and civil engineer Prajeesh joined the BJP.

All 20 constituencies of Kerala will go to the poll on April 26 in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election.

Rahul Gandhi is pitted against CPI’s Annie Raja and BJP’s state president, K Surendran.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Rahul Gandhi won from Wayanad with a huge margin of over 4.31 lakh votes- the highest margin in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Kerala. He secured 64.94 per cent vote share, defeating LDF candidate PP Suneer. The NDA had fielded BDJ (S) leader Tushar Vellapally, who secured just around 78,000 votes, which accounted for a mere 7.25 per cent.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 19 out of 20 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. While the Congress won 15 seats, its allies Indian Union Muslim League, won two seats, the Revolutionary Socialist Party won one, and the Kerala Congress (M) won one seat. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) won one seat in Alappuzha. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Cong clears the air on CAA after Pinarayi’s criticism

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Pinarayi slams Congress’ ‘silence’ over CAA

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan claimed that there is no also mention of the CAA in the Congress manifesto…reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday again attacked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), asking why is he and his party silent over the issue.

“Why is Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi silent over CAA? Congress should admit that they are on the same page with Sangh Parivar over CAA,” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said while addressing a mammoth election rally in Palakkad.

He said that people and different organisations all over the world are critical of the controversial CAA but surprisingly Congress is silent on such a pressing issue.

“When we pointed out that Rahul Gandhi did not take up the CAA issue during his nationwide yatra and nor in Wayanad, they (Congress) started attacking us,” the Chief Minister said.

He said that the CAA was announced when the country was in the election mode.

“There is no also mention of the CAA in the Congress manifesto. When we asked about it, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) V. D. Satheesan said it’s there in the manifesto but despite our best efforts, we were unable to find it. Ironically, Congress-led UDF Convener said that they are not bothered about CAA,” the Chief Minister said Vijayan.

He said that his government has decided that they will not implement the CAA in the coastal state. “We have also approached the apex court against the CAA,” he said.

“When the CAA issue was raised in the parliament there were 18 MPs from Congress-led UDF. Why did they not speak against it,” the Chief Minister asked.

Congress calls for CBI probe

 Three days after the Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan demanded a CBI probe into Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-Fon), a pet project of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, K-Fon authorities on Wednesday pointed out that the project was on the verge of becoming self-sustainable after fulfilling its financial liabilities.

VD Satheesan’s outburst came at a time when the state goes to Lok Sabha polls on April 26.

The Opposition had gone hammer and tongs against CM Vijayan for failing to implement the much-hyped project even after seven years of announcing it.

The Opposition parties alleged that one company that belonged to Vijayan’s relatives was the only beneficiary as it got the contract for it.

In their statement issued on Wednesday, K-Fon authorities pointed out that even though the initial cost was pegged at Rs 1,482 crore, the project was being operated only at a cost of Rs 791.29 crore.

“The project became operational with Rs. 488.40 crore from KIIFB instead of the originally earmarked Rs. 1,061.73 crore, Rs. 217.85 crore instead of Rs. 336 crore from the State Government and Rs. 85 crore from the Central Government. This feat was achieved through cost and network optimisation. The allocation from KIIFB was strictly based on the presentation of bills of expenses actually incurred,” said the K-Fon statement.

They further pointed out that K-Fon now aims to achieve sustainable operational success through Internet leased line, leasing of dark fibre, household commercial connections and connections to government offices.

“Out of the total practical possibilities of 28,888 km, 96 per cent of the cable laying has been completed. The Network Operating Centre (NOC) at Kakkanad and the 375 points of presence (POP) that ensure uninterrupted functioning have been fully operational,” K-Fon further pointed out.

K-Fon added that they could lease 10 to 14 core surplus fibres of the 48F OPGW/ADSS fibre laid for the network.

“This provides another revenue stream to K-Fon. Around 4,300 km dark fibres have been leased to various companies in this manner. The goal is to hit the 10,000 km landmark by September 2024 fetching anticipated revenue of Rs. 50 crore,” added the statement.

The authorities also pointed out that work was underway for offering connectivity to economically-backward households.

So far, free connections with a speed of 15 mbps have been made available to 5,734 households though Kerala Vision, which has agreed to meet its promise of covering 7,000 households.

ALSO READ-What’s Rahul Gandhi up to: Pinarayi

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Tharoor echoes Pinarayi’s ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ remark

Shashi Tharoor said that our country’s history is much more complicated than the black-and-white versions that someone in the “BJP or Hindutva movement would like you to believe”…reports Asian Lite News

Reacting to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s statements that ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Hind’ were first raised by two Muslims, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said that our country’s history is much more complicated than the black-and-white versions that someone in the “BJP or Hindutva movement would like you to believe”.

The Congress MP echoed similar sentiments and said, “The fact is that we used to be a country where such distinctions did not matter so much, where indeed someone like Netaji Bose had amongst his closest aides people of every faith. He was accompanied by a Muslim Colonel in the fatal plane crash. That is the gentleman who had coined the phrase ‘Jai Hind’ for him.”

He further added that ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ goes back to the Muslim aide of a Hindu Peshwa.

“Earlier, ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ goes back to the Muslim aide of a Hindu Peshwa. So, that’s the way our country used to work. We were not always drawing distinctions on the basis of religion,” the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram added.

Tharoor argued against reducing historical events to binary divisions based on religion and urged for a more nuanced understanding of India’s rich and diverse heritage.

“When you think of something like the Battle of Haldighati, who was fighting for the Maharana? Hakim Khan Sur, a Muslim general. Who was fighting for the Mughal Emperor? It was a Rajput King. You have to understand that our history is much more complicated than the black-and-white versions that someone in the BJP or Hindutva movement would like you to believe,” Tharoor said.

When asked about CAA, he said that Muslims are educated like everybody else and they will know what is going on.

“I think it is very clear that they are making a brazen attempt to try and corner the Muslim vote. Muslims are educated like everybody else. They will know what is going on,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, the Kerala Chief Minister claimed that ‘Bharat mata ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Hind’ were first coined by two Muslims, challenging the BJP to renounce the slogans.

“Now, in some programmes we hear some Sangh Parivar leaders asking people to chant ‘Bharat mata ki Jai’. Who coined the slogan Bharat mata ki jai? Was it some Sangh Parivar leader? I don’t know if the Sangh Parivar knows this. His name is Azimullah Khan. I don’t know if they know that he is not a Sangh Parivar leader,” the Kerala CM said.

He said, “He was the Prime Minister to the Maratha Peshwa Nana Saheb in the 19th century. We should know that he coined the term Bharat Mata ki Jai. I don’t know if Sangh Parivar will decide not to chant the slogan since it was framed by a Muslim?”

On March 11, the Central Government notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which effectively brought into force the controversial CAA of 2019. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Tharoor Accuses Left of Dividing Votes

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India News Kerala

Pinarayi Protests In Delhi

Kerala, Aug 29 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extends his warm wishes on the occasion of the Onam festival, on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann join Kerala CM at Jantar Mantar to protest against the central government’s discrimination towards Kerala…reports Asian Lite News

The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala staged a protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Thursday against the central government’s alleged discrimination towards Kerala.

The protest was led by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and saw participation of Ministers, legislators, and parliamentarians from the State.

The legislators were seen raising slogans against the central government and holding banner that read “Fight to protect Federalism”.

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also joined the protest at Jantar Mantar.

DMK Minister P Thiaga Rajan represented his party in the protest after Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin endorsed the protests led by his Kerala counterpart.

Addressing the protestors at Jantar Mantar, CM Vijayan asserted that the fight will strive to maintain balance in Centre-State relations.

“Today, we are at a historical juncture of the Indian republic. A democracy that was envisaged as a ‘Union of States’ is slowly and steadily being crippled into an undemocratic ‘Union over States’. We are seeing its manifestations around the country, especially in opposition-ruled states,” Vijayan said.

“We have all come together to register our strong protest against this and to preserve the federal structure of India. Today we are marking the beginning of a renewed fight that would herald a dawn of ensuring equitable treatment of the States. This fight would also strive to maintain a balance in the Centre-State relations. Thus, February 8, 2024, is going to be a red letter day in the history of the Republic of India,” he added.

He also thanked the state governments and opposition political parties whose representatives have joined the LDF-led protest today.

“At the outset, let me extend a warm welcome and convey greetings to all those who have gathered here representing various State Governments and opposition political parties. The fight to ensure that India remains a sovereign secular democratic republic, with federalism as its hallmark, will be a long-drawn one. Let this be an opportunity for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to this struggle,” the Kerala Chief Minister said.

Speaking on the protest, LDF convenor EP Jayarajan said that they are raising people’s demands through the mega agitation.

“We are raising the people’s demands. Yesterday it was Karnataka, today it is Kerala, tomorrow other states will also come,” Jayarajan said.

Kerala Minister Kadannappalli Ramachandran said, “Due to the central government’s activities, they are not in favour of keeping up the constitution. We wanted to get some help as far as the constitution is concerned, but they refused.”

Union Minister V Muraleedharan slammed the Kerala government over the protests and accused it of ‘conveniently’ blaming the central government in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

“The Lok Sabha elections are approaching. The present government in Kerala has been there in power for the last 8 years. They had made tall promises when they fought the elections in 2016-2021 but now they have realised that they have nothing to say about their achievements. So, they want to blame somebody else and they have found a convenient way of blaming the Government of India,” Muraleedharan said.

Speaking on the protest, Kerala MLA K K Shailaja said, “Without getting proper tax share and funds from Central government, the state cannot sustain. They are not allowing us to borrow money also. Central govt is implementing some rules, especially for Kerala lowering the borrowing limit.”

“Karnataka CM yesterday expressed his solidarity with us,” she added.

Besides issues like sidelining Kerala in the financial sector and when it comes to Centrally-sponsored schemes, Vijayan said another important point that is being raised is with regard to Governors.

“We are seeing how Governors should not function. They are sidelining the state legislatures. The (Kerala) Governor (Arif Mohammed Khan), who has turned the state into a stage for his theatrics, withholds bills approved by the Assembly and misuses his chancellorship to disrupt the functioning of universities.

“These actions pose a direct challenge to constitutional values. These actions are necessitating legal actions and people’s protests to safeguard federalism and democracy. Indian constitutional values have never before encountered such serious challenges except during Emergency,” Vijayan said.

He also said that a strong Centre alongside empowered states is crucial for upholding India’s unity and integrity.

“Kerala’s gathering in Delhi marks a significant stride towards this overarching objective. In this regard, we earnestly seek the wholehearted support of all the advocates of democracy,” said Vijayan.

On Wednesday, Karnataka Congress veteran and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accompanied by his deputy DK Shivakumar and other state ministers staged a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged injustice to southern states in devolution of taxes.

MK Stalin had, on Tuesday (February 6), written a letter to Pinarayi Vijayan stating that he extends full support towards Kerala government’s legal measures against the central government for allegedly releasing the funds allocated to the state. In the letter, he also said that DMK would take part in the agitation and the party leaders would be wearing black clothes.

“Our voice will not rest until we establish cooperative federalism and retrieve state autonomy,” the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said.

ALSO READ-Pinarayi to Inaugurate FOKANA’s 21st Convention in Washington

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Kerala CM Blames Central Government Policies for Economic Crisis

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressing the Loka Kerala Sabha regional summit in London

CM Vijayan was accompanied by ministers VN Vasavan and V Sivankutty during his press conference in Kasaragod…reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday hit out at the Centre saying that the state is facing an economic crisis due to the former’s policies.

“Our state is facing big challenges. Even though the state has achieved unprecedented growth in its own tax revenue and domestic production, we are facing an economic crisis caused by the central government’s policies that are destroying the federal structure itself,” CM Vijayan said while interacting with reporters in Kasaragod.

He also took a dig at the Opposition Congress, accusing the party of acting with an intent to “destroy the government’s popularity”.
“The opposition, which should naturally join the government against those policies for the good of the state, takes it with malice intention as an opportunity to destroy the government’s popularity,” he added.
Further, Criticising the media for not calling out the same, the CM said, “A large section of the media has unfortunately joined them in hiding the status quo from the public. ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’ is organized to make the people aware of the hidden realities and to ensure the integrity of dealing with the people’s problems.”

CM Vijayan was accompanied by ministers VN Vasavan and V Sivankutty during his press conference in Kasaragod.
The Chief Minister along with other ministers from the state cabinet attended the state government’s public outreach programme ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’ which was held at Manjeswaram in Kasaragod earlier today. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Kerala Youth Congress Scandal Sparks Investigation

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Kerala Politics

Kerala Youth Congress Scandal Sparks Investigation

The chief minister was addressing the press in Kasargod as part of Nava Kerala Yathra…reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said that an investigation has started into the allegation that Youth Congress members created fake ID cards for their president’s election.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, “This is something that should not be done at any cost. What is the credibility of it, is such a thing being done for the first time, have these agencies carried out such activities before? These are things that should be investigated properly. That investigation has begun. What I am understanding is that all agencies have taken it seriously.”

CM Vijayan slammed the Congress and said that they could go to any extent against political rivals. “Congress calls itself a democratic party and all but it’s just for namesake. There is no democracy. They have no elected system in general, it’s nominated committees that function for them. They conducted elections for the youth congress president post. Just imagine, it’s an internal party election which ideally should be healthy. In such elections, they are choosing such a route. So imagine to what extent they can go against political rivals. This is what should be seen,” CM added.

The chief minister was addressing the press in Kasargod as part of Nava Kerala Yathra. Earlier, the BJP and CPI (M) filed complaints to the concerned authorities against the Kerala unit of the Youth Congress on Friday for allegedly creating nearly 1.25 lakh fake ID cards for their organisational election. BJP state president K Surendran has made complaints to the Kerala DGP (Director General of Police) and the Election Commission against the youth congress over this allegation.
Meanwhile, DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI (M), also demanded action against youth congress leaders. DYFI alleged that this has happened with the knowledge of the Congress leadership.

Youth Congress state president Rahul Mankoottom, however, claimed that the Youth Congress election was transparent.”It’s good that BJP President K Surendran has come up with these allegations in the media. His allegations are pointless. He himself was involved in election malpractice,” Rahul Mankoottom said. (ANI)

ALSO READ-UAE, Kerala have heart-to-heart relationship: Vijayan

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PINARAYI: Congress is supplying leaders to BJP

Pinarayi Vijayan

Pinarayi Vijayan meanwhile took stringent action against the dissident activities in the CPI-M at the Palakkad district conference by stating that dissidence and group activities will not be tolerated in the party…reports Asian Lite News.

Even as CPI leader Binoy Viswam has said that the Congress is indispensable for Indian democracy, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Congress is turning into a political party that supplies leaders to the BJP.

The Chief Minister, while addressing CPI-M’s Palakkad district conference, said that several senior leaders of the Congress have found a new address in BJP and have joined the saffron fold without any shame. He also lashed out at the statement of former AICC president Rahul Gandhi on a Hindu leader becoming Prime minister of India.

Pinarayi Vijayan meanwhile took stringent action against the dissident activities in the CPI-M at the Palakkad district conference by stating that dissidence and group activities will not be tolerated in the party.

The Chief Minister did not allow an election for the post of district secretary of the Palakkad district committee and wanted party delegates to unanimously select a district secretary.

Senior CPI-M leader from Chittoor in Palakkad district, E.N. Suresh Babu was declared as the Palakkad district secretary of the party. Chief Minister in his speech said that certain leaders were trying to create an island for themselves and added that such leaders will not have a place in the party.


It may be noted that the CPI-M’s national conference is scheduled to take place in April at Kannur which is the home district of the Chief Minister and CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

Presently CPI-M is holding district conferences and the state conference will take place in February 2022. With the CPI-M being in power only in Kerala, the party Congress or national congress will be a major show of strength for the Kerala CPI-M.

ALSO READ-Some media glorifying Taliban: Pinarayi Vijayan

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Vijayan to propose 2000cr Kerala rehab package

Pinarayi Vijayan

Highlighting his government’s achievements, he said a sum of Rs 5,000 each has been given to 1,33,800 people who came back with a valid passport and a valid job visa, but have not been able to return…reports Asian Lite News.

The Kerala government will soon submit a Rs 2,000 crore proposal to the Centre for rehabilitation of those who have returned home permanently from abroad amid the Covid pandemic, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday.

This is in addition to the various relief packages the state has already provided to them, he told the Assembly.

Referring to the Covid-19 portal data, the Chief Minister said that till October 26, a total of 17,51,852 people returned from abroad. A majority of them have come back from the Middle East countries.

“However, as per the Airport Authority of India, from May 2020 till October, a total of 39,55,230 people have travelled through various airports. A majority of them have returned,” said Vijayan.

Highlighting his government’s achievements, he said a sum of Rs 5,000 each has been given to 1,33,800 people who came back with a valid passport and a valid job visa, but have not been able to return.

“Apart from these, we gave Rs 10,000 each to 181 returnees who turned Covid positive besides Rs 1,000 each to 18,278 people who receive the diaspora pension,” said Vijayan.

He said the portal figures show that around 12.57 lakhs returnees have lost their jobs. The state government in the 2021-22 budget has earmarked Rs 50 crore for them to start some enterprises.

“Numerous schemes are there for the returnees to start some productive ventures and it includes loans, interest subsidies and similar soaps,” added Vijayan.

ALSO READ-Kerala schools reopen after 20 months

READ MORE-In a first, Kerala Kalamandalam accepts girl students for Kathakali

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Pinarayi asks PM to allocate liquid oxygen, vax doses

Moreover, the test positivity rate in the state has been in the range of 25 percent in the past many days, forcing Vijayan to seek immediate help from the Centre…reports Asian Lite News.

With the second wave of the Covid pandemic surging, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allocation of 1,000 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen and 75 lakh doses of vaccines.

On Tuesday, 37,190 people turned positive after 1,42,588 samples were tested in the past 24 hours while there were 3,56,872 active cases in the state.

Moreover, the test positivity rate in the state has been in the range of 25 percent in the past many days, forcing Vijayan to seek immediate help from the Centre.

In his letter to Modi, Vijayan said with the import of oxygen now taking place, Kerala needs the first installment of 500 tonnes, and then it should be given another 500 tonnes in the second round.

“Taking into concern the spike in Covid cases in Kerala, we should be allocated oxygen tankers, oxygen concentrates, and ventilators on an urgent basis,” he said.

He also sought fresh supplies of vaccines which includes 50 lakh doses of Covishield and 25 lakhs of Covaxin.

With the spurt in positive cases in the past three weeks, and despite Vijayan time and again stating that complete lockdown will not happen, the government has now decided that things have reached dangerous levels and announced a near lockdown till Sunday and with every chance of extending it for another week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCqzmCBDhKw

One reason why the near lockdown-like status is prevailing is because close to 30,000 cases being reported, it would be practically impossible to hold the swearing-in ceremony of his for a second term after he led the Left to a record-breaking win with 99 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly.

As things stand, the swearing-in might take place in the third week of May.

Also Read-Kerala’s oxygen war rooms ready for Covid fight

Read More-Kerala locks down till May 16

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Exit polls predict win for Stalin, Pinarayi; cliffhanger in Bengal

The polls predicted a sweep for the DMK in Tamil Nadu, signalling the emergence of MK Stalin and an unprecedented return to power for Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala, reports Asian Lite News.

Exit polls for the latest round of assembly elections on Thursday predicted outcomes along expected lines in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, but seemed to suggest that West Bengal may be too close to call.

The polls predicted a sweep for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, signalling the emergence of MK Stalin, 62, as one of the most powerful regional leaders in the country; an unprecedented return to power for the Left Democratic Front (LDF), headed by Pinarayi Vijayan, in Kerala; and a successful defence by the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam. But West Bengal, arguably the most intensely and bitterly fought state election in recent times, is also emerging the tightest, the polls indicated.

Some polls gave the BJP, which pulled out all stops in its campaign, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah leading from the front, the edge. Others pointed to an advantage for the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC). The truth will emerge on May 2, when votes are counted.

Opinion polls have been horribly wrong in the past, although, sometimes, they have also been prescient.

The BJP’s general secretary in charge of West Bengal, Kailash Vijayvargiya, said the party would form the government in the state. He attributed the indecisive opinion polls to the research firms’ lack of familiarity with the state, people’s fear of “voicing opinions freely” in a state with a culture of political violence, and the presence of a large number of “silent voters”.

The TMC’s Samir Chakraborty chose only to look at polls that gave an edge to his party. “TMC is getting a majority despite Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and top BJP leaders making Bengal their base camp,” he said.

If the BJP manages to pull off a win, it will a remarkable achievement for a party that won only three of the 294 assembly seats in 2016, although it won 18 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2019. The party has long considered Bengal the last frontier, and a win in the state will complete its dominance of the east.

If the TMC manages to hold on — whichever party wins, the margin, if the opinion polls are any indication, will be slim — it will a remarkable achievement for chief minister Mamata Banerjee, whose party was weakened by desertions, faced significant anti-incumbency, and appeared to be behind the BJP for much of the campaign.

It will also elevate her standing in any anti-BJP grouping that coalesces at the national level.

Any such grouping will also have to make space for Stalin, fighting his first assembly election as leader of the party, although he did lead it to a sweep in the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 (the DMK-led alliance won 38 of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state). It also means the Dravidian movement, bereft of a leader after the deaths of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (AIADMK’s) J Jayalalithaa and the DMK’s Muthuvel Karunanidhi, gets a new icon.

The polls also predicted the return to power of the BJP and the LDF in Assam and Kerala, respectively. Both were anticipated.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) was criticised for the eight-phase elections in West Bengal, which meant campaigning continued as cases continued to rise, with all parties flouting Covid-19 safety protocol. Elections in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala, were held in one phase on April 6, and that in Assam, in three phases on March 27, April 1, and April 6.

Now it’s on to Sunday when all eyes will be on West Bengal.

Also Read-BJP targets division of non-BJP votes for Bengal polls

Read More-LDF to win big in Kerala