PINARAYI VIJAYAN
Kerala chief minister
KERALA
Vijayan, they said, was “the captain” who successfully steered the state through crises—cyclone, floods, the pandemic, and so on. Critics sneered that it was against Marxist principles to promote a cult of personality.
That Vijayan played a pivotal role in the CPI(M) retaining power in Kerala is undeniable. Now, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, too, the CPI(M) is relying on him to help the party avert the risk of losing its status as a national party. The CPI(M) needs to win at least 2 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha (11 seats) from three states to retain its iconic hammer, sickle and star symbol in 2026. Hopes rest heavily on Kerala, the party’s last bastion in the country.
The state’s electoral dynamics poses a challenge, though. The CPI(M)’s primary opponent in Kerala, the Congress, is also its national alliance partner. There is a direct fight between the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Front in all 20 seats in the state. This means Vijayan and the LDF must strike a balance in opposing the BJP and the Congress.
In an extensive email interview with THE WEEK, Vijayan spoke about issues ranging from the CPI(M)’s political strategy in and outside Kerala, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s candidature in Wayanad, and the Union government’s “misusing” of investigative agencies. Excerpts:
Q/ Your party is part of a coalition that aims to bring down the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre. How do you strike a balance between criticising the Congress in Kerala and allying with it at the national level?
Denne historien er fra April 28, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 28, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The war and the winner
THE WEEK’s Bhanu Prakash Chandra bags the prestigious IPI award for his coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war from the frontlines
India Fashion Week is 25
India Fashion Week is now 25 years old. Never mind all the brand names that came before the term 'India Fashion Week'—some have stayed, many have gone. The important thing is that season after season, in two cities at times, with two or three warring sponsors at times, India Fashion Week held its head above the water and sustained.
Kalki, out of the box
I love the fact that Kalki Koechlin, one of our most versatile actors, does not fit into a box.
Vote's the plan
Student protesters have launched a political party, but can the country move beyond its binary political landscape?
Learners shall inherit the roads
I used to love driving in Delhi! The broad smooth roads, with well-laid out footpaths and cycle tracks, made every drive a glorious experience. As the years passed, I graduated from a Lambretta scooter to a Fiat 1100 to a Maruti 800, then quickly to a Zen and several years later to a Swift Dzire, till I reached my current Maruti Ciaz. The roads of Delhi, meanwhile, deteriorated from being the smooth cheeks of you-know-who of Bollywood to the smallpox-pitted face of that character actor of the same celluloid vintage.
AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER
The public dressing-down of Zelensky at the White House is a timely reminder that India should zealously protect its strategic autonomy in external affairs
Every structure we build is a reflection of our commitment to innovation and quality
My journey in real estate has been nothing short of transformative. I hold an MBA in Finance, which has given me a strategic understanding of business, investments, and market dynamics.
India's Coal Miner CCL Nurtures Green Growth
Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), is in the forefront of India's coal mining sector driving technological innovation, and community development for contributing to India's long-term energy security while aiming for global sustainability goals. By fostering a resilient coal mining industry, the company's strategic roadmap focuses on enhancing resource efficiency, reduce its carbon footprint, and transform the mining sector for empowering India's clean energy practices and initiatives. A responsible miner, the Category-I Mini-Ratna PSU, touched a record high of 86 million tonnes of coal production during 2023-24.
Breaking Barriers
The Unstoppable Rise of Indian Women
EMPOWERING GENERATIONS: The Remarkable Journey of Dr. Reshma Kaur
Every institution, whether in education or business, thrives under the guidance of visionary leadership.
