CPI Leader Says Fish Anecdote About Kerala CM Was in Jest

Overview

• CPI veteran C. Divakaran clarified that his remarks on Pinarayi Vijayan’s food preferences were made in good humour and urged against turning them into a row.
• Divakaran has indicated the contested episode will feature in his forthcoming autobiography, framing it as a personal recollection from 2014.
• He had recounted that Vijayan asked about the fish served at Anathalavattom Anandan’s home during an LDF yatra and left upon learning it was tuna, later eating happily when a different fish was served.
• Jeeva, Anandan’s son, publicly rejected the account, describing Vijayan as a gracious guest who ate the simple fare prepared at their home.
• Minister V. Sivankutty defended Vijayan as a spartan eater and said Divakaran merely added colour to memoir material, as the discussion spread across social media without evident political fallout.