Kerala Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala has filed a complaint against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with the Election Commission alleging him of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The complaint was based on Pinarayi’s press conferences between 4 to 6 of March, 2021.

In the complaint letter to the Chief Election Officer Teeka Ram Meena, Chennithala has alleged that Pinarayi made several announcements for new programs and policies at the press conference after the MCC came into place. Stating that after the election dates are announced any announcements should be made only by the Chef Secretary or other bureaucrats, Chennithala, in his letter said, “"The accepted practice is that after the election is announced, only the Chief Secretary or the Public Relations Department should talk about a new policy or program of the government. The Chief Minister has violated this”. 

Chennithala has also asked the CEO to direct the Kerala Government to ensure announcements are done only through the allowed channels henceforth. 

In the press meet of March 4 Pinarayi Vijayan can be heard making a mention of funds that have been already allocated under Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) for various projects. CM made the mention about the funds for the projects by asking that “whether the opposition aims to cancel all the projects which could be beneficial for people”, with the allegations raised against KIIFB.

“The funds allotted to KIIFB will be used in Kerala itself,” CM had said.

The Assembly election is scheduled to be held in Kerala on April 6. The elections will be held in a single phase in all districts. The Model Code of Conduct came into force on February 26 with the announcement of Assembly election dates by the Chief Election Commissioner.