Youth Congress State president O.J. Janeesh criticised Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader M.M. Mani for what he described as an inhuman and deeply insulting remark against the people.
Mr. Janeesh said Mr. Mani's statement, that the beneficiaries of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's social security pension voted for the United Democratic Front (UDF), was out of frustration following the party's biggest-ever defeat in the local body elections and was unacceptable and demeaning.
"Pension is not the LDF's generosity; it is the rightful claim of the people," Mr. Janeesh asserted. He pointed out that the Congress and the UDF had earlier accused the LDF government of distributing pensions as part of its election campaign, and Mr. Mani's statement only reinforces that allegation. "The CPI(M) has been exploiting people's vulnerability for political gain. Mr. Mani's comment is unbecoming of a communist," he said.
Mr. Janeesh also demanded that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan clarify their stand on Mr. Mani's remarks. "Has the CPI(M) lost its sense of humanity after tasting defeat?" he asked.
Calling the UDF's performance in the local body elections across the State a historic victory, Mr. Janeesh said the LDF is headed for a massive defeat in the upcoming Assembly elections as well. "Unable to accept the defeat, the CPI(M) is trying to insult and intimidate the people. First it was through pensions; later, the party vented its anger on the public through violence in places like Panoor in Kannur," he alleged.
Such tactics, he said, are completely unacceptable, and the Youth Congress will respond strongly against any attempt to threaten or demean the people.