BJP will draw a blank this time too, says Pinarayi Vijayan

A large number of incumbent MLAs were re-nominated by the Left Front. No defiance of duty?

There is no anti-incumbency because people think the government is trying to implement what the people want as best it can. Ten years ago, Kerala was in shambles but we brought about a massive change in all sectors. Now our Vision 2031 defines achievable goals in every sector to develop Kerala to keep pace with modern times.

Our young people want the higher education sector to become even stronger. While no institution from Kerala was included in the top 100 institutions at the national level in 2016, eighteen Kerala colleges now feature in the list. This is the result of active interventions that require continuity.

By connecting academia to industries, we have promoted research, cutting-edge courses and skill development of youth. Our industry friendliness attracts top players from all over the world, and everyone outside the red industries is welcomed. We have an outstanding startup ecosystem.

But despite this, the Left suffered a shakeup in the last local polls.

Each selection follows a unique pattern. It was a local election and we had setbacks in a few places that did not reflect public sentiment across the state. We feel a positive atmosphere right now.

The BJP puts forward the slogan ‘Develop Kerala’ but the Left accuses the Center of strangling the State.

Now while we keep saying ‘develop Kerala’, has the Center done anything to develop Kerala? Despite repeated calls and tremendous achievements in public healthcare, we do not have an AIIMS. When the state was hit by disasters, the Center not only turned its back but also blocked support from countries with deep ties to Kerala. Has any other state in India been treated so ignominiously in the face of a disaster? It was just us. Didn’t he reveal a mentality that wanted the state to disappear?

The Center sided with those who opposed the K-Rail project, which aims to strengthen our transportation infrastructure, on political grounds.

Was there any help when Wayanad suffered landslides? Don’t people see the hypocrisy now when he proposes to ‘develop Kerala’? They do!

The state’s rightful tax share is taken away and our borrowing limit is significantly reduced. Doesn’t all this have an air of revenge?

What do you think about the Christian support of the BJP and the Left’s relationship with society?

We have good relations with all communities. All sections of Christians, who form a significant community in the state, have good relations with the government. The BJP may have many desires but nothing will come true and there will be no consolidation in its favour.

Will SIR affect the election result?

Concerns have been raised about SIR in some constituencies where the number of voters has fallen sharply. But there needs to be more clarity on this issue.

How do you stop the BJP in its tracks? Who is more ready to do this, the Congress or the Left?

Congress cannot do this. Even at the national level, it acts like the B team of the BJP. Only the Left has steadfastly resisted the BJP and will continue to do so even more strongly. And the BJP is unlikely to make any electoral gains this time too.

Only a united fight against the BJP is possible at the national level, but the Congress always spoils the atmosphere, frustrating such proposals and giving an advantage to the BJP. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, refuse to learn from their mistakes.

Is the Left in Kerala on the defensive after compliments from former legislators like Congress and BJP like G. Sudhakaran, Aisha Potty, S. Rajendran, CC Mukundan, PK Sasi and the like? There is riot in Kannur too.

It’s all driven by positional greed and loss of value. G. Sudhakaran, though well known, could not cope with the party’s policy of age-related retirement from committees. He betrayed the party, conspired with the UDF and is contesting the elections.

The situation is the same with others. It is heard that S. Rajendran also needs the help of the BJP to solve some problems. TK Govindan’s grumbling was that no one in the committee recommended his candidacy and he chose to be an ax in the hands of the UDF against the CPI(M).

They all betrayed the party. But we will definitely win in all the constituencies where they are contesting.

Sudhakaran is located in Alappuzha, a region very dear to us, where the memories and tradition of the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising have deep roots in its soil. He who behaves like himself will not create any perverse impact in Alappuzha.

And TK Govindan chose to mask his greed by questioning the candidacy of PK Shyamala, who is married to CPI(M) Foreign Minister MV Govindan. His candidacy is most suitable as he has undertaken many responsibilities in the party and was a DYFI employee and active party member even before marriage. It has its own identity.

There are allegations that the public health sector is collapsing.

Media outlets like yours need to investigate why there is sudden turmoil on issues in the healthcare industry. The public health sector in Kerala has grown significantly since 2016, when it was in collapse, and this has helped us overcome challenges, including the pandemic. We progressed further and reached an IMR of 5, which is better than that of the USA. Even the rich now use public health institutions. However, multinational monopolies purchasing our private hospitals causes healthcare expenditures to increase. The smear campaign against the public healthcare system is to their benefit.

Will the gold theft in Sabarimala and the government’s statements in SC affect the polls?

This will not affect us because people understand the truth about this. The Supreme Court is overseeing the investigation and has made it clear that there was no outside interference. The investigation is moving in the right direction and no criminal will be exempt from punishment.

When it comes to submissions, we answered a number of questions clearly. The issue of women entering the temple was not part of the questions. We reiterated what we said in 2007: Religious scholars, experts and social reformers should be consulted when addressing the question of temple traditions and rituals.

Your repeated remarks against Jamaat-e-Islami (Hind) are being interpreted as an attack on the Muslim community.

When we attack RSS to shut up, they are tried to be portrayed as anti-Hindu, and when we speak against JEI, they are tried to be portrayed as anti-Muslim. We are neither and will continue to speak out against both majority and minority communalism no matter what. Majority and majority minority communities are secular and we stand with them.

Was the global Ayyappa Sangamam a misstep?

Never. Travancore Devaswom Board of Directors organized the event. Sabarimala is the most important temple managed by the board of directors and people from all over the world visit the temple. The board aimed to bring them all together and highlight them. Wasn’t there a parallel move against Ayyappa Sangamam? It failed miserably. Our Ayyappa Sangamam was a great success and catered to a secular community.

Due to loss of livelihood and increase in fuel prices?Is the war in West Asia a poll issue?