CM accuses Opposition of misleading ECI

‘Decision to distribute foodgrain taken much before announcement of polls’

The war of words between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Opposition over the distribution of social welfare pension and food kits ahead of the Assembly polls continued on Sunday when Mr. Vijayan snubbed the latter saying “prathipaksham” (Opposition front) should not be “prathikarapaksham” (revengeful front). The Chief Minister also accused Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala of lying and misleading the Election Commission of India (ECI) to prevent beneficiaries from getting foodgrain. “Mr. Chennithala had said in his complaint to the poll panel that the State government was trying to influence the voters by distributing the social welfare pension for April and May together. This is not true. We are planning to distribute the amount for March and April together. A government order had been issued much earlier to finish off the process by April 14,” Mr. Vijayan claimed. “The distribution of food kits for Onam in 2020 had begun on August 11 though Thiruvonam was on August 31. It is not linked to the Assembly polls at all,” he said.