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The article details the ongoing controversy surrounding Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's use of a PR agency during a recent interview with a national daily. Opposition leader V D Satheesan has levied accusations against Vijayan, claiming that the CM's reliance on a PR agency to speak on his behalf in the interview is a strategic move to avoid direct accountability for controversial remarks made during the interview. Satheesan pointed out the irony of Vijayan criticizing Congress for using a strategist, while he himself employs a PR agency to manage his public image.
Satheesan's criticisms center around the perceived lack of transparency and accountability in Vijayan's decision to use a PR agency. He demands clarification on the agency's ownership, Vijayan's potential connections to the agency, the funding source for the agency, and the nature of the relationship between Vijayan and the PR agency representatives present during the interview. The Opposition leader also questions why the CM requires a PR agency for a national interview when he has an existing media department, PRD support, press secretary, and media advisor. He argues that the use of a PR agency demonstrates a perceived lack of confidence and, more significantly, highlights the CM's reliance on external actors to manage his image and communications.
The controversy escalates as Satheesan alleges that the PR agency employed by Vijayan echoed sentiments similar to the BJP's agenda, fostering religious discord and dividing the population. This accusation further fuels the narrative of Vijayan's alleged manipulation of the media through a PR agency to disseminate controversial statements that could later be disavowed. Satheesan suggests that this strategic move allows Vijayan to avoid direct responsibility for potentially harmful or divisive remarks, thus positioning himself as an innocent bystander in a controversy orchestrated by others. The article concludes by highlighting the Opposition's belief that Vijayan's actions align with the ideologies of the Sangh Parivar, a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization, and that he is now attempting to distance himself from the controversial interview's fallout.
The article sheds light on the ongoing political battle between the ruling CPM and the opposition in Kerala. It showcases the use of a PR agency in a high-profile interview as a point of contention, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the role of external influences in shaping public discourse. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between politics, media, and public perception in a democratic society.
Source: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Under Fire for Using PR Agency in Controversial Interview