NEW DELHI: Congress leader Kc Venugopal on Tuesday wrote an open letter to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, posing ’10 questions’ on what he alleged were covert understandings between the ruling Left and the BJP.In his letter, Venugopal said the questions reflect what is being widely discussed on the ground and asked Vijayan to respond.”As Kerala once again stands at the threshold of an election, there remain a number of questions in the minds of the people regarding the legacy of your ten-year rule,” Venugopal said.A key focus of the letter was Vijayan’s meetings with senior BJP leaders. Venugopal asked: “What was the agenda behind your meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah at his residence in Delhi, excluding officials? Was that where the ‘deal’ was struck?”He raised similar questions over a breakfast meeting with Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Kerala House and interactions with Union minister Nitin Gadkari, asking whether these meetings were part of any “understanding” with the BJP.The Congress leader questioned the state government’s move to implement the PM SHRI scheme despite opposition from CPI leaders within the Left Democratic Front (LDF). “What ‘deal’ was behind this? Whose interests were you protecting… while keeping your own coalition partners in the dark?” he asked.Venugopal also alleged that decisions related to labour codes were taken “in extreme secrecy” without consulting allies, and flagged the increase in trade union registration fees, asking whom the move was meant to “satisfy”.The letter also referred to ongoing and past cases. On the SNC-Lavalin case, Venugopal questioned repeated adjournments in the Supreme Court, asking whether they were linked to a “deal” with the Centre. He also cited the Exalogic Solutions case and the gold and dollar smuggling cases, questioning why probes had “stalled midway” and whether there had been any intervention.He further raised the issue of senior police officer M R Ajith Kumar and alleged links with RSS leaders, and referred to an alleged meeting between Vijayan and BJP leaders at a hotel, asking if the chief minister would disclose the details.The letter comes amid an intense contest between the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF for the 140-seat Kerala Assembly. The state is expected to go to polls in 2026.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPakistan’s Kolkata Threat Row: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee Slams PM Modi, Shah With Fiery Response“Mad Dog Has Bitten Them”: Assam CM’s Wife Launches Fiery Attack On CongressPM Modi Hails Nuclear Milestone, India’s Fast Breeder Reactor At Kalpakkam Reaches Criticality Stage“Saved Millions Of Lives”: Trump Repeats Explosive India-Pak Truce Claim Amid Iran WarPakistan To Repay $4.8 Billion In External Debt By June, Including $3.5 Billion To UAE: ReportJaishankar Speaks To Qatar PM, India Ramps Up Diplomatic Outreach Amid Iran EscalationUAPA Terror Case: NIA Court Sends US Citizen, 6 Ukrainians To 30-Day Judicial Custody‘Jointness To Theatre Commands Is Not Simple’: Lt Gen PJS Pannu On India’s Military ReformsModi Vs Mamata, Himanta Vs Gogoi: Why Pakistan Features In Bengal, Assam Poll RhetoricKhalistan Call In Canada Falls Flat, Low Turnout Exposes Gap Between Online Noise And Ground Reality123PhotostoriesCarry this with you for wealth and financial stability based on your birth date5 castles where people still live—and you can visit tooPlatinum vs Silver: What are the main differences?Baby names inspired by Lord Hanuman8 famous foods that aren’t actually from the countries you thinkWhy rotis turn soggy in casserole & 5 tips to keep them moisture-free6 ultra-rare Bugatti models ever built7 painting styles that elevate your home décor with a luxurious touch4 Bhagavad Gita shlokas that help when life feels unfairNo symptoms but real risk: How prediabetes and prehypertension progress silently, and what you can do today to prevent future health issues123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingRory McilroyBlake LivelyKerala pollsWest Bengal assembly electionLindsey GrahamGigi HadidAngel ReeseIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Kc Venugopal on Tuesday wrote an open letter to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, posing ’10 questions’ on what he alleged were covert understandings between the ruling Left and the BJP.In his letter, Venugopal said the questions reflect what is being widely discussed on the ground and asked Vijayan to respond.“As Kerala once again stands at the threshold of an election, there remain a number of questions in the minds of the people regarding the legacy of your ten-year rule,” Venugopal said.A key focus of the letter was Vijayan’s meetings with senior BJP leaders. Venugopal asked: “What was the agenda behind your meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah at his residence in Delhi, excluding officials? Was that where the ‘deal’ was struck?”He raised similar questions over a breakfast meeting with Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Kerala House and interactions with Union minister Nitin Gadkari, asking whether these meetings were part of any “understanding” with the BJP.The Congress leader questioned the state government’s move to implement the PM SHRI scheme despite opposition from CPI leaders within the Left Democratic Front (LDF). “What ‘deal’ was behind this? Whose interests were you protecting… while keeping your own coalition partners in the dark?” he asked.Venugopal also alleged that decisions related to labour codes were taken “in extreme secrecy” without consulting allies, and flagged the increase in trade union registration fees, asking whom the move was meant to “satisfy”.The letter also referred to ongoing and past cases. On the SNC-Lavalin case, Venugopal questioned repeated adjournments in the Supreme Court, asking whether they were linked to a “deal” with the Centre. He also cited the Exalogic Solutions case and the gold and dollar smuggling cases, questioning why probes had “stalled midway” and whether there had been any intervention.He further raised the issue of senior police officer M R Ajith Kumar and alleged links with RSS leaders, and referred to an alleged meeting between Vijayan and BJP leaders at a hotel, asking if the chief minister would disclose the details.The letter comes amid an intense contest between the CPI(M)-led LDF and the Congress-led UDF for the 140-seat Kerala Assembly. The state is expected to go to polls in 2026.
