Overview

• The Union minister acknowledged erring in returning 80-year-old Kochu Velayudhan’s written plea for house repairs and said he will continue outreach events across Kerala.
• A viral video of the Thrissur interaction triggered public blowback, after which CPI(M) leaders visited Velayudhan and pledged to build him a new house.
• Gopi initially defended his stance on Facebook, saying he avoids promises he cannot fulfill and noting that housing falls under state jurisdiction.
• At a separate event on Wednesday, he drew new criticism for a sarcastic retort to an elderly woman seeking help to recover money from a cooperative bank.
• He argued opponents were exploiting the episode politically, while adding that the petitioner ultimately securing a house was a positive outcome.