Overview
- Vellappally Natesan labeled Reporter TV journalist Rahees Rasheed a “terrorist” after a tense exchange, citing the reporter’s hometown and past MSF links without offering evidence.
- Youth Congress functionaries filed complaints with police, including a petition to the State Police Chief, alleging attempts to foment communal division.
- The Kerala Union of Working Journalists condemned the remark as unacceptable and the DYFI urged Natesan to withdraw it, warning such rhetoric harms social unity and press norms.
- Natesan doubled down on issue-based attacks on the IUML and the CPI, alleging anti-Ezhava mobilization and unequal access to educational institutions in Malappuram while warning of communal tension.
- CPI(M) state secretary M. V. Govindan said the party rejects any anti-minority stance, and CPI’s Binoy Viswam stressed Natesan is not part of LDF decision-making, even as the Chief Minister previously defended giving him a ride.