CPI(M) State Secretariat terms Congress protests against Health Minister Veena George unwarranted, accuses Opposition of attempting to instigate riots

The CPI(M) State secretariat on Saturday (February 21, 2026) accused the Congress-led Opposition of attempting to instigate riots in Kerala, terming the ongoing protests against Health Minister Veena George unwarranted. 

The Congress have been staging protests against the backdrop of the incident where an artery forceps was found in the abdomen of a woman who had undergone surgery at the Government Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha, in 2021. The CPI(M) State secretariat officially reacted to the protests shortly after Youth Congress workers trespassed into Ms. George’s official residence and laid a wreath. The CPI(M) said the demonstrators, who have sought to disrupt public functions attended by Ms. George and take the protests to her residence, have crossed all limits. The Opposition, which cannot bear to accept the development and welfare ushered in through ten years of LDF rule, is trying to instigate riots across the State, the CPI(M) said, adding that it cannot sit idly by in such a situation. 

Neither the State government nor the LDF have at any stage objected to democratic forms of protests or demonstrations. The people of Kerala have not forgotten the sad plight of the State’s health sector during the Congress-led UDF rule. Public health facilities had become sanctuaries for stray dogs in the absence of medical facilities and medicines for patients. Although the CPI(M) had led strong agitations against such tendencies then, it never attempted to personally attack Ministers or forcibly place wreaths in their homes. That is never a democratic way of protesting, the CPI(M) said. 

The State’s health sector has seen unprecedented progress in the past ten years of LDF rule. Today, hospitals have transformed into modern facilities much sought after by lakhs of patients. Nonetheless, the government has not adopted a compromising attitude on occasional lapses. Investigations have been carried out and stern action initiated in every such incident. Attempts are now being made to mask achievements and tarnish the health sector, the CPI(M) alleged. The party also urged all sections to cooperate to preserve a peaceful atmosphere in the State.