In Kerala, V.D. Satheesan, the leader of the opposition in the Kerala Assembly, stated that the public should debate whether a national strike should be observed as a hartal or a complete shutdown in Kerala. He was responding to questions about the Congress proceeding with its statewide rally on the day of the nationwide strike, in connection with the upcoming elections. Satheesan said he was part of a party that has the highest number of affiliated trade unions and that he respects the cause of the nationwide strike. He questioned whether it was appropriate in this age to turn a nationwide strike into a hartal or a bandh. He argued that the public should discuss this issue. Satheesan also pointed out that people in other states were largely unaware of such a strike, whereas in Kerala, it was being turned into a hartal or bandh. He said that only in Kerala, a strike becomes a hartal that brings normal life to a standstill. He stressed that a public discussion was necessary. Satheesan further stated that the Congress believes several legacy practices should undergo change. He cited an example, stating that even when the CPI(M) was ruling in West Bengal and Tripura, a strike was never observed as a hartal or bandh. Satheesan also said that the Congress statewide rally would also be used to sensitize people to the alleged anomalies in the Labour Codes that have prompted the nationwide strike. Satheesan also addressed CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan's statement about the state having no poor if the LDF government retained power, saying that Govindan was "living in some other world" and trying to mislead the public. He urged Govindan to "come back to earth." Satheesan also accused the CPI(M) in Kerala of adopting a path similar to that of the Sangh Parivar elsewhere in the country. Responding to questions about his frequent claim that the Congress is the true Left party, Satheesan said the Congress does not follow a right-wing ideology. He emphasized that they are Nehruvian Left and have never adopted a right-wing ideology that represents fascism.