CM intends a Facebook debate, and not a face-to-face with Satheesan

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday clarified that he intended to engage in a Facebook debate with the Leader of the Opposition, V.D Satheesan, rather than a face-to-face discussion as suggested by sections of the media. Mr Vijayan’s statement signalled an anticlimactic end to speculation that a US presidential-style debate between Mr. Vijayan and Mr. Satheesan was imminent. 

Mr Vijayan’s Facebook post on Monday, in which that he was ready for a debate, had led the media to hypothesise that a televised, head-to-head encounter between the two leaders would be a key highlight of the Assembly election campaign.  However, Mr. Vijayan had listed his government’s achievements in a report card format and did not challenge any person or party by name. 

Mr. Satheesan also signalled that he wanted to hear Mr Vijayan’s stand on several issues including the Sabarimala gold theft, allegations of corruption and nepotism, an alleged Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deal, and what he described as the LDF’s governance failures. 

The LDF reportedly assessed that engaging directly with Mr. Satheesan’s challenge could amplify what it considers the UDF’s “misleading, scandalous and false” campaign narrative. Sources noted that Mr. Vijayan has delibrately avoided political tit-for-tat exchange and controversies at his press conferences, instead focusing on showcasing his government’s “tangible achievements” for the electorate. 

The LDF has also sought to put the UDF on the defensive by contrasting its tenure with that of the Oommen Chandy government (2011-16), often referred to by the Left as “dark times” — a reference to the power cuts that affected the State — with its own record of ensuring uninterrupted power supply and eliminating load shedding.

Meanwhile, the UDF has centred its campaign around the Sabarimala gold theft issue, which it believes yielded electoral dividends during the 2025 local body elections. The UDF has also sought to highlight the welfare promises announced by Rahul Gandhi, including free travel for women in public transport buses, irrespective of their economic status.