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In response to questions raised by opposition members in the Kerala Assembly, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan clarified his stance on the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged use of a PR agency.
The opposition had accused the government of hiring a PR agency to enhance the Chief Minister's public image. The Chief Minister denied the allegations, stating, "No PR agency has been hired to improve the image of the Chief Minister. Kerala, being a state where secularism and peace flourish, has always been a target of communal forces. Our state has faced these attacks by upholding our renaissance heritage and raising the flag of secularism. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, and its leadership, have never required the assistance of any PR agency to face such challenges or uphold the state's reputation." He emphasized that the government's development and welfare efforts have been well received by the public, who have actively endorsed and supported the administration's initiatives. "The widespread recognition and support the government enjoys is a testament to its efficiency and commitment to public welfare. This recognition has come organically from the people themselves, not through the efforts of any external agency," the CM said. Addressing specific concerns about a reported interview with The Hindu Newspaper, the Chief Minister clarified that the state's Information and Public Relations Department (I&PRD) effectively handles communication and public outreach, and no PR agency was ever tasked with this responsibility. He also reiterated that there was no mention of Malappuram in his remarks, and The Hindu had already clarified this matter. On being asked if a PR agency representative was present during the interview, the Chief Minister's reply was: "Since no PR agency was commissioned for the interview, the question itself is irrelevant."(ANI)
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