Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday clarified that he intends to engage in a Facebook discussion with Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan rather than a face-to-face discussion as suggested by sections of the media. Mr Vijayan’s statement signaled an anticlimactic end to speculation that a US presidential-style debate between Mr Vijayan and Mr Satheesan was imminent.
Mr Vijayan’s Facebook post on Monday, in which he was prepared for a debate, led the media to hypothesize that a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders on television would be the focal point of the Assembly election campaign. However, Mr. Vijayan listed the achievements of his government in report card format and did not call out any person or party by name.
Mr Satheesan also indicated that he wanted to hear Mr Vijayan’s stand on several issues including the Sabarimala gold theft, allegations of corruption and nepotism, the alleged Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) collusion and what he described as LDF governance failures.
The LDF reportedly felt that engaging directly in Mr. Satheesan’s challenge could amplify what it sees as the “misleading, scandalous and false” narrative of the UDF campaign. Sources noted that Mr Vijayan deliberately avoids political tit-for-tat and controversy in his press conferences, instead focusing on showcasing his government’s “tangible achievements” to the electorate.
The LDF also sought to put the UDF on the defensive by comparing its tenure to that of the Oommen Chandy government (2011-16), which the Left often refers to as the “dark times” – a reference to the power cuts that hit the state – with its own record of ensuring uninterrupted power supply and eliminating load-shedding.
Meanwhile, the UDF has focused its campaign on the Sabarimala gold theft issue, which it believes will yield electoral dividends during the 2025 local body elections. The UDF has also sought to highlight social welfare promises announced by Rahul Gandhi, including free travel for women in public transport buses, regardless of their economic status.
Published – 31 March 2026 21:11 IST
