Pinarayi doing a Kunhalikkutty!

KOZHIKODE: A mere reference to the infamous ice-cream parlour case at the media meet at Taliparamba on Wednesday was enough to make Pinarayi Vijayan go red in the face and the embattled CPM leader fumed and fretted at his being ‘compared’ to P K Kunhalikkutty.

But, unfortunately for him, developments after the CBI sought sanction to prosecute him in the SNC-Lavalin case tend to make many feel that he is dangerously replicating what the IUML state general secretary did when he was embroiled in the ice-cream parlour case a few years ago.

Like Pinarayi now, Kunhalikkutty was careful to create an impression that the allegation was not a personal attack on him. The IUML leader had said that the campaign was against the community and wanted the entire party to throw a ‘security ring’ around him.

CPM leaders like S Ramachandran Pillai and E P Jayarajan had already stated that Pinarayi was being singled out “as he is the strongest leader of the party in Kerala.” Again, Kunhalikkutty tried to prove his invincibility by organising mammoth receptions for himself at various places. He tried to disprove his detractors, citing the turnout at these ‘receptions’. Pinarayi also is trying to prove his strength by impressive rallies organised as part of his yatra.

Kunhalikutty had said leaders “before him” like C H Mohammad Koya too had to face similar allegations.

And Pinarayi ‘s campaign managers say corruption charges were thrown at Communist leaders like Fidel Castro.

For Kunhalikutty, there was a conspiracy by journalists to finish him off politically.

There were even attacks on reporters at Kozhikode and at Karipur airport by his supporters.

The way Pinarayi reacted at Wednesday’s news meet points to his increasing impatience with the media, which he believes is hunting him down.

The rallies organised by Kunhalikkutty had created law and order problems in places like Kannur where the CPM and the IUML workers clashed, leaving many injured.

The incidents at Kanhangad after the CPM rally also point to a similar possibility.