Ker CM, Opposition leader engage in war of words

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala today engaged in a war of words over the recent alleged honour killing of a 23-year-old man in Kottayam.

"Chennithala is known for speaking nonsense," Vijayan shot back when asked by reporters here about the Congress leader's demand that Vijayan should quit as chief minister and the Home portfolio in the wake of the killing.

"Do not make me to talk more (on the matter)," he said.

The senior congress leader had earlier demanded Vijayan's resignation and said if he had any obligation towards the people, he should resign.

Reacting to Vijayan's outburst, Chennithala said "the chief minister is making it clear with each passing day that he was not fit to sit in the chair.

CM is attacking the Opposition to hide his own inefficiency," said Chennithala, who had held the Home portfolio in the previous Congress-led UDF government headed by Oommen Chandy.

"The chief minister is trying to 'trivalise' matters. If there are lapses, he must own it up, but the CM is attacking the media and opposition when the lapses were being pointed out," he said.

23-year old Kevin P Joseph, a Dalit Christian, was abducted on May 27 by a gang allegedly engaged by his fiancee's family. His body was found in a river in Kollam district a day later.