Kochi, March 29 Congress leader V D Satheesan launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday, accusing him of making "false claims" on several issues, including Sabarimala, the Vizhinjam port project, and alleged links with certain organisations.
Speaking to reporters at Paravur, Satheesan rejected the chief minister’s claim that houses built during the Oommen Chandy government were “false.”
Citing replies given by ministers in the Assembly, he said that 4.43 lakh houses were constructed under various schemes during the UDF regime.
“These are not my figures. These are answers given by LDF ministers in the Assembly. Let people decide who is making false claims,” he said.
He detailed figures from schemes such as the Indira Awaas Yojana, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe housing programmes, fisheries housing schemes, and local body initiatives, asserting that the total number of houses constructed during the UDF tenure exceeded 4.5 lakh.
Satheesan also alleged that the LDF government had included around 50,000 houses completed during the UDF period in its own LIFE Mission figures.
He further accused the CM of contradicting himself on alleged CPI(M) links with Jamaat-e-Islami and the RSS, claiming that video evidence of his earlier statements exists.
On the Vizhinjam port, he said the project was initiated during the Oommen Chandy government and questioned how it was being projected as an achievement of the present dispensation.
He also raised the Sabarimala issue, alleging that the government had earlier refused discussion in the Assembly, citing it as sub judice, but later made statements he termed "misleading".
Satheesan said he was ready for an open debate with the CM on development issues.
“I am ready for a public debate with the CM on development and all other matters,” he said.
He also criticised the government over delays in implementing welfare measures and questioned the timing of the inauguration of housing projects ahead of elections.
He claimed that attempts were being made to spread misinformation against him and the opposition during the election period.
The opposition leader said the people of Kerala would assess who was making "false claims" during the campaign.
Kerala will go to the polls on April 9.