Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed SDPI claims about CPM seeking its support in the election, especially in Nemom constituency, as baseless. Vijayan said the claims were contrary to facts. “Several organisations and people must have voted in favour of LDF candidate in Nemom in 2021 election so as to beat BJP, but such developments could not be branded as formal support,” he said.“Situation in Nemom was different last time. We fought election with an open claim that we would close BJP account there. Many must have thought that LDF was best to beat BJP. That’s not part of any deal. LDF has no truck with religious fundamentalists on either side. We uphold the pure secular stand,” Vijayan told the media here on Tuesday.Chief minister also said UDF was trying to fool public by rejecting the support of SDPI. “Don’t you people remember who were openly rejoicing after the UDF win in Palakkad byelection? UDF is making the new claims after befriending an organisation like Jamaat-e-Islami,” Vijayan said. He said a section of the media was trying to put their words into his mouth as they posed questions to him. “I have clearly said my stand. It may not be what you wish to hear from me. But I cannot give answers you like,” he added when he was repeatedly asked whether LDF would welcome SDPI votes.Vijayan said LDF govt has brought unprecedented developments in the state. Development of Vizhinjam port and related infrastructure would change the face of Thiruvananthapuram. “These projects would give base for long-term development. Phase IV of Vizhinjam project would be complete in 2028. State govt has so far received Rs 125 crore from Vizhinjam as profit. In the past 10 years, govt created 70,000 job opportunities in Kerala. We are seeking public mandate to ensure continuity for the development works initiated by LDF govt,” he said.Referring to his controversial meet-the-press programme in Kollam on Monday, Vijayan said some media personnel purposefully created issues. “Generally I speak for 30 or 40 minutes and then take questions during such meetings. I don’t discriminate between journalists when questions are asked. Some people started a commotion after the news meet. I thought it was better to go back and clarify my point. This is a new experience and is also an example of how things get manipulated,” Vijayan said.
