Kerala CM wrote a letter to Revanth Reddy noting that while political differences are natural, he firmly rejects the use of personally insulting remarks to express disagreement

Kerala CM wrote a letter to Revanth Reddy noting that while political differences are natural, he firmly rejects the use of personally insulting remarks to express disagreement

Kerala CM wrote a letter to Revanth Reddy noting that while political differences are natural, he firmly rejects the use of personally insulting remarks to express disagreement

The political battle in Kerala ahead of the Assembly elections hit a new low on Tuesday as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hurled abusive remarks at his Telangana counterpart Revanth Reddy. 

Vijayan's remarks came in response to Reddy's scathing criticism against him during a Congress campaign rally in Thiruvananthapuram.

“Dash mone Revanth… you will be responded soon,” the Kerala chief minister said during a press conference.

Reddy, while addressing the camapaign rally, had dared Vijayan to a debate and said, “Nee po mone Vijaya” (You get lost, Vijayan), mimicking a popular Mohan Lal dialogue from the move Narasimham. He also claimed that Vijayan’s tenure as Kerala chief minister was over and predicted a UDF victory in the upcoming elections.

On Monday, Reddy shot off a six-page letter to Vijayan, expressing his willingness for a fact-based debate with the Kerala chief minister on Telangana’s development. “I am ready to debate with Pinarayi Vijayan whenever he gives me the opportunity. My question is, who is his role model—Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, or Jyoti Basu and Somnath Chatterjee?” he asked.

Responding, Vijayan emphasised that a chief minister is expected to maintain decorum. “Let him reflect on whether his statements adhered to these norms. Since he has raised it publicly, I am responding publicly. I am not elaborating further, but all I can say is: ‘Dash mone Revanth, you will be responded soon,’” he stated.

Kerala’s 140-member Assembly elections are scheduled for April 9, with vote counting on May 4. While the CPI(M)-led LDF seeks a third consecutive term, the Congress-led UDF hopes to capitalise on anti-incumbency sentiment to reclaim power.

TAGS