Coffee mug held by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sparks speculation, photo goes viral

A coffee mug held by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sparked speculation on Monday at the day-long protest against Central policies organised here by the LDF government.

Mr. Vijayan was snapped sipping water from the mug which bore the inscription ‘Love you to moon and back.’ Soon, this was being interpreted as the Chief Minister’s expression of solidarity with the survivor who had lodged the complaint against Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA.

A Facebook post by the survivor after Mr. Mamkootathil’s arrest had contained the same line. After the photograph of Mr. Vijayan went viral on Monday, the survivor also responded to the photo with a brief note of her own.

Monday’s protest was organised against what the State government termed ‘economic blockade’ imposed by the Centre on Kerala. Mr. Vijayan was present at the venue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., even foregoing his lunch, according to his office.

Another topic of discussion on the day was the absence of Jose K. Mani, MP, of the Kerala Congress (M) at the high-profile protest which saw participation by Ministers of the LDF government, LDF MLAs and senior leaders.

The absence was noticed at a time when speculation is rife over whether the KC(M) was planning a return to the United Democratic Front (UDF). Although Mr. Mani was not present, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine and other senior KC(M) leaders were present at the venue.