Kerala CM accuses media of biased coverage

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday asked journalists on what basis they reported allegations against him and his office.
Alleging that there was an attempt to unseat him from the office and media persons were aiding that agenda, Vijayan said hope would be dashed and he would remain in the office till people of Kerala want him to be.
What had irked the CM during the daily news briefing was a set of questions posed to him on the hearing of gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh held at NIA court in Kochi on Thursday.
The CM said he wanted a serious probe as the case is of serious nature and he is not concerned about the outcome. “The facts will soon come out. Let’s see whose heartbeat will raise then,” he said.
When asked about the statement of Swapna quoted by the NIA counsel in the high court that she had casual association with the CM, Vijayan said what is the big fuss about that. “I am the CM and many people may know me. What is the acquaintance beyond that? What do you want? What your organizations want? Is that to say Kerala’s CM had aided gold smuggling? Are you trying for that? However hard you tried, that wouldn’t happen,” he said.
To a further query, the CM said, “People know the truth. You are trying to construct a different narrative. You are attempting to change the public perception. Is that the duty of the media? You are becoming spokespersons of a caucus. On what basis are you carrying news against me who is the chief minister of Kerala? What is the evidence?”
He said he was criticising the manner in which media reported the case. “Do you want to portray that the CM and CMO are aiding gold smuggling. You have your reasons to oppose like the political ideology I present. But times have changed,” he said.