Congress backs BJP's saffronisation agenda: Govindan

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan alleged on Wednesday that the Congress party is fully supporting the BJP's saffronisation agenda and accused Chief Minister V D Satheesan of running the state like an RSS government. Govindan made these remarks while responding to media questions on the Congress-led UDF government's stance on recent police chief summoning by Governor Rajendra Arlekar and the Vizhinjam International Port share transfer.

Govindan claimed that the Congress' present actions indicate a full endorsement of the BJP's saffronisation efforts, pointing to the appointments of pro-right individuals as vice-chancellors and syndicate members, as well as the inclusion of BJP workers in university senates. He also criticized Satheesan for not strongly opposing the Governor's summoning of the state police chief without prior knowledge from the Chief Minister or government.

During the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, Satheesan had strongly opposed such Governor actions and prevented officials from attending the Lok Bhavan on numerous occasions, Govindan alleged. He further accused the Congress-led government of yielding to such moves.

On the Vizhinjam port share transfer, Govindan alleged a contradiction in Satheesan's statements. The Left veteran claimed that Satheesan's government had not conveyed its displeasure to the Adani group over the share transfer, contradicting the Chief Minister's assertion. Govindan provided documentary evidence, specifically an RTI document, suggesting the absence of any communicated displeasure from the government.