Govt. not opposed to Onam festivities: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Blaming the media of twisting his words, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government is not opposed to Onam celebrations but is against commercialisation of the festival.

Chief Minister said he is still firm on his stance that government officials refrain from celebrating Onam during office hours and do not want any flower carpet competitions or Onam sales in the offices during duty hours. 

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, the CM said the lamp was not a religious symbol and hence there is no harm in lighting a lamp during government functions. When asked about his similarities with Narendra Modi's style of functioning, Pinarayi Vijayan snubbed away it as baseless.

Listing out achievements of the Left Democratic Front government - which completed a 100 days of power on August 1 - Chief Minister said the government's main goal is 'long-term development of the state' but clarified that 100 days are too early to judge a government's performance. 

Announcing a large scale project called 'Haritha Kerala to end garbage issues of the state, Pinarayi Vijayan said the government would also take initiatives to clean up and recover rivers and lakes and aims to provide houses for the landless and homeless in the next five years.

• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
• achievements of the LDF government
• 100 days of power