Kollam, March 30 – With the assembly elections in full swing, dramatic scenes and open confrontation marked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Monday press conference, turning what was intended to be a focus on governance into a political flashpoint.
The Chief Minister, who addressed the media to highlight the government’s development achievements and counter opposition charges, faced an unusual protest from journalists.
They accused him of selective access, claiming that he was prioritizing questions from pro-CPI(M) outlets while ignoring the wider press.
Tensions escalated when Chief Minister Vijayan answered only three questions – two from Kairali and one from Deshabhimani – and attempted to conclude the interaction, stating that time was up and further questions could be taken the next day.
As he left, journalists raised a collective protest. "This is not right, Chief Minister… it is not enough to answer only Kairali (a CPI(M)-backed TV channel) and Deshabhimani – the party organ," reporters said, questioning the very purpose of inviting the media if broader questions were not entertained.
Amid mounting pressure, Chief Minister Vijayan returned to the dais, resumed his seat, and took more questions.
He maintained that journalists should ask questions rather than simply holding them in mind, and reiterated that the session was being curtailed due to time constraints.
He also said he had not discriminated between media houses while responding.
The press conference had already gained traction after a previous remark by the Chief Minister, where he reportedly dismissed a journalist raising questions about an alleged SDPI-CPI(M) deal, saying the person “had some issue”.
At Monday's briefing, too, journalists attempted to press him on the same allegation, among other matters.
The episode triggered sharp reactions.
Journalists accused the Chief Minister of evading scrutiny while advocating public debate.
The opposition, meanwhile, alleged that Vijayan, who recently released a 10-year report card, was wary of questions exposing shortcomings.
The controversy has spilled onto social media, where critics pointed to a contradiction between issuing debate challenges and limiting media engagement.
With campaigning entering its final stretch, the incident risks shaping voter perception, placing not just development claims but also the government’s media approach under the spotlight.
The Chief Minister is expected to meet the media again on Tuesday, making his response keenly watched.
Incidentally, Chief Minister Vijayan has met the media officially very few times over the years. When he took over in 2016, he cancelled the weekly post-cabinet media interaction, a practice that had been in vogue since the late fifties.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan has gone on record saying that once they come to power after the results on May 4, the new UDF Chief Minister will certainly meet the media at least once in 10 days.