Pinarayi calls Sudhakaran’s rebel bid ‘chettatharam’, sparks war of words

Reacting to Pinarayi's remarks, Sudhakaran said that Vijayan did not know the meaning of many Malayalam words and hence made such remarks.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is quite known for his harsh and derogatory remarks against opponents, is at it again.

Vijayan has termed dissident senior CPM leader G Sudhakaran's act of contesting as a rebel candidate as 'Chettatharam' (Malayalam word meaning an act by a vile fellow). It was in a channel interview that Vijayan made the derogatory remark.

Sudhakaran reacted on Sunday that Vijayan did not know the meaning of many Malayalam words and hence made such remarks.

Countering Vijayan's criticisms that Sudhakaran was having too many parliamentary desires and hence contesting as a rebel, Sudhakaran said that Vijayan was contesting for the ninth time.

Pinarayi's 'paranari' (Malayalam word for scoundrel)  remark against RSP leader N K Premachandran in the 2014 Lok Sabha election in Kollam was widely considered to be a reason for the defeat of the then LDF candidate, CPM general secretary M A Baby.

Sudhakaran, who is a former minister, is contesting from Ambalappuzha in Alappuzha against the CPM candidate. He recently decided to quit the party, accusing the state and district leadership of insulting and sidelining him.