Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan defends remarks on G. Sudhakaran, calls him ‘class traitor’ amid election row

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has clarified his recent remarks on former CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran, who is contesting as an Independent candidate in Ambalappuzha with UDF support in the Kerala Assembly elections, that labelled him a “chetta” (a derogatory term in Malayalam).

Addressing a press conference in Kattappana, Idukki, on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), Mr. Vijayan stated that he was only criticising “political betrayal.”

“I criticised his (Mr. Sudhakaran’s) political cheating; he is a class traitor. What else can we call such a person? He cheated the CPI(M), and it is a classic example of political betrayal,” Mr. Vijayan said.

He further questioned the backlash over his choice of words, adding, “I do not know when the word ‘chetta’ became considered foul language.”

Responding to questions regarding the LDF’s stance on women’s issues, Mr. Vijayan asserted that the government consistently stands by victims. Without explicitly naming anyone, the Chief Minister criticised “a politician” accused of sexually exploiting women across the State.

“We are with the victims on every occasion. On the other side, Opposition leaders have supported such perverts. The CPI(M) and the government always support these women, while the Congress has backed sexual offenders,” Mr. Vijayan said.

Asked about allegations of a CPI(M)-BJP “deal,” the Chief Minister retorted that “the public knows which party aligns with the RSS and the BJP.”

“Earlier, O. Rajagopal won in Nemom (in 2016) with Congress votes, but the CPI(M) eventually closed that account. In the Thrissur parliamentary election, where did the Congress votes go? The Congress alleges ‘deals’ only to hide their own confirmed arrangements with the RSS and BJP,” he said, alleging various instances of “Congress-BJP cooperation” in the State.

Mr. Vijayan also addressed his rather blunt response to a party worker in Konni on Monday, where he told a questioner to “ask at his house.” Mr. Vijayan clarified: “I answer your questions during a press meet. However, when unwanted or inappropriate questions are raised at a party meeting, they will be met with a response at the same level.”

Regarding local grievances, the Chief Minister highlighted the LDF government’s “resolution” of long-standing land issues in Idukki. He noted that the order allowing the use of title-deed lands for non-agricultural purposes was a significant milestone.

“The government has fulfilled the ambitions of the people of Idukki, solving land issues that persisted for 60 years,” he claimed.

However, on the opening of the Kothamangalam-Munnar forest route, Mr. Vijayan admitted there has been no further progress.

The Chief Minister is scheduled to address several election campaign meetings across the district later on Tuesday.