‘Covidiot’: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan attacked for allegedly hiding COVID status

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday came under attack from union minister V Muraleedharan, who called him a ‘Covidiot’ for allegedly making public appearances despite testing positive for COVID-19. Vijayan was seen at a polling booth on April 6 as Kerala voted to elect a new assembly and two days later he was admitted to a hospital for testing positive for COVID-19.

According to the Opposition parties in the state, Vijayan had tested positive on April 4. “‘Covidiot’ you know what it means. There’s no other word that can be used for a Chief Minister who continuously violates COVID protocol. As per doctors of Calicut Medical College, Kerala Chief Minister tested positive on April 4 and on April 6 voted without following protocols,” Minister of State for External Affairs and BJP leader V Muraleedharan said, according to ANI.

However, Kerala health minister KK Shailaja denied reports that the 75-year-old Chief Minister had flouted norms.

The Chief Minister’s daughter, Veena Vijayan had also tested positive and had cast her vote after 6 pm, wearing a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as stipulated by EC guidelines.

Vijayan, who was discharged from the hospital on April 14, had travelled extensively to campaign for the candidates of the ruling LDF. He also participated in a roadshow on  April 4, the last day of the campaign. He had taken his first COVID shot on March 3.

In a Facebook post after his discharge, Vijayan said the doctors and staff had provided the best possible care to him. “Have returned home as I have been discharged after being cured from COVID-19,” the Chief Minister said.