There seems to be a tacit understanding between Congress and BJP, says Pinarayi Vijayan

Vijayan believes there is no question of the BJP improving upon their tally of one seat this year.

With Kerala set to go to polls on April 6, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tells DH’s Arjun Raghunath that neither the allegations against his office in the gold smuggling case nor his government’s stand on the Sabarimala issue will impact the Left Democratic Front’s chances of winning a second consecutive term in office. But, he alleges, Congress and BJP seem to have a tacit understanding this election.

The BJP is mounting a strong campaign this election. BJP leaders are saying that even if they win only 35 seats in the 140-member Assembly, they will be able to form their first-ever government in Kerala.

There is no question of the BJP improving upon their tally of one seat this year. In fact, we have arrested their growth. From 14.96 per cent in 2016, their vote share came down to 14.88 per cent in 2019 and further down to 14.52 per cent in 2020. So, it remains to be seen if they will even retain their existing seat.

BJP is out to finish off Congress. Will it help the CPM-led LDF in Kerala in this election?

The real question is, is there an understanding between Congress and BJP? Congress’ national leaders are saying that they will go to BJP if they win; its state leaders are saying that they will to BJP if they lose. Therefore, all indications are that the BJP and the Congress have a tacit understanding in Kerala to defeat us.

Also read: LDF eyes return on back of Pinarayi Vijayan's rising popularity in Kerala

But Congress leaders allege that you have been soft in criticising BJP in your recent political speeches and that it is due to an understanding you have with BJP.

Just the other day, I said that Amit Shah is communalism personified. I’d even pointed out how smuggling has peaked under BJP. In the last five years, I’ve spoken in various parts of the country against the Sangh Parivar to such an extent that I’ve even received death threats. So, how does the question of going soft on them arise?

Critics say that your style of functioning is similar to that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- autocratic.

On issues on which the Centre deserves to be criticised, I’ve minced no words. Demonetisation and CAA are just a couple of instances. At the same time, as a state government, we are mandated to cooperate with the Centre and other state governments. In a federal structure, that is essential. And since we uphold India’s federal principles, we’ve ensured that we set aside our differences and work together for the common good. In development projects that the states and Centre work together on, both have equal ownership. In fact, if you look at many such projects in Kerala, you will see that the state has equal or more share than the Centre.

Have not the gold smuggling allegations linked to your office affected the government’s image?

There were efforts to link my office to it. However, the very first person who made such an allegation has now backtracked. He is a state BJP leader, let us not forget. So, I do not think that it has affected us negatively. On the other hand, it has reaffirmed our honesty and integrity, even among our opponents. At this juncture, I wouldn’t want to go into personal comments about my former OSD (M Sivasankar).

You are often accused of being adamant on issues like the entry of women into Sabarimala, and that may cost you.

We have come to office having sworn an oath to abide by the Constitution. The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution and evaluates if laws enacted in the country are in accordance with it. When that court – the highest court in India – strikes down a rule saying that it is unconstitutional, as a state government, we are constitutionally bound to obey it.

Has the controversy over the MoU with a US-based firm to manufacture deep-sea trawlers affected your poll prospects?

The government did not sign any such MoU. Let us be clear about that. A public sector unit (PSU) did, and that too without the knowledge of the higher officials concerned. As soon as it came to our attention, we took measures to cancel it. There were efforts to misinform the fishing community in the backdrop of these developments. But I do not think that has had any impact.

There has been criticism of your government’s handling of Covid-19 pandemic lately as a second wave has surged.

If you look at the numbers, you will realise that the number of fresh cases has gone down rapidly. We’re better than where we were five months back. In the last one week alone, there is a 15 per cent drop in the number of cases. On the incidence of Covid-19, I think the Sero Prevalence Study is a prime indicator. According to the latest study, Kerala has had the least spread and lowest percentage of infections.

Why has Karnataka imposed travel restrictions on the borders with Kerala then? Why do people in Kasargod have to go to Mangaluru for facilities?

During disasters, it is natural for each government to want to take care of their own people first. But, in the case of pandemics such as Covid-19, which has affected the whole world, we ought to realise that working together is more effective than working alone. Let me not say more now.

As for Kasargod, historically it has been part of Dakshina Kannada region. So, naturally, people are used to going to Mangaluru for several reasons, even for basic needs. We ought to remember this. We have made giant strides in Kasargod’s development over the last few years. Highways, hospitals, schools, etc., have seen a major facelift. In another five years, we will be thinking of Kasargod as a developed region.