Vijayan denies opposition claims about meeting with Sitharaman

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has dismissed allegations from the Opposition regarding his breakfast meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He clarified that the meeting was a courtesy call with no official discussions or negotiations. Vijayan explained that he attended the meeting after being invited by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, whom he met on a flight. He emphasized that their political ideologies remain distinct and that the meeting did not indicate any softening of his stance against the BJP. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala had challenged Vijayan to disclose details of the conversation, suggesting a possible secret alignment between the CPI(M) and BJP. Vijayan rejected these claims, stating the meeting was informal and not politically significant.