Kerala CM Clarifies ‘Breakfast Meeting’ with Sitharaman, Rejects Memorandum Claims

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressed the state Assembly on Monday, dispelling speculation around his recent breakfast meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi.

Responding to opposition queries during a discussion on budget demands, Vijayan emphasized that no memorandums were submitted, describing the March 12 encounter at Kerala House as a casual “breakfast meeting.” He noted that while Kerala’s issues were raised—some deemed “serious” by Sitharaman—the exchange remained “very friendly” and devoid of formal submissions.

Vijayan clarified the meeting’s context, recounting how Governor Rajendra Arlekar invited him to an MPs’ banquet in Delhi, which he initially declined due to a CPI(M) Polit Bureau meeting. A chance encounter on a flight rekindled the invitation, and Vijayan informed the Governor of Sitharaman’s planned visit the next day. “The Governor chose to join; it wasn’t his arrangement,” Vijayan stressed, refuting claims of political orchestration. “Meeting people with differing ideologies doesn’t dissolve politics,” he added.

The clarification came amid opposition fire, with Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala questioning the “secrecy” and alleging a CPI(M)-BJP-RSS alliance brokered by the Governor.

Vijayan dismissed this, accusing the Congress-led UDF of historical ties with the RSS during elections. Defending his party’s critique of the Centre as “fascist,” he cited the Emergency era’s rights abuses as precedent, asserting CPI(M)’s stance stems from “careful judgment.”

The meeting, attended by Governor Arlekar and Kerala’s Delhi representative K.V. Thomas, has fueled political debate, with Congress hinting at a pre-poll CPI(M)-BJP thaw.

Vijayan’s rebuttal underscores his intent to frame it as routine diplomacy, not a policy pivot, amid Kerala’s financial tussles with the Centre. As protests like the ASHA workers’ stir persist—unaddressed in the talks—the CM’s narrative aims to quell suspicions of a deeper agenda.