Pinarayi using ‘ghar wapsi’ issue for political mileage, says Chennithala

Thiruvananthapuram: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday said that CPI-M secretary Pinarayi Vijayan was using the issue of Hindu outfits’ conversion campaign ‘ghar wapsi’ for his party’s political mileage.

“Pinarayi Vijayan’s remarks against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy were to gain political mileage. He was unnecessarily dragging the name of the Chief Minister into the issue,” Chennithala said.

Talking to the media further on the issue, the minister said there was no complaint filed against the conversion campaign run by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in the state. “If we receive any complaint, we will surely examine it and order an investigation.”

Although several people were reportedly converted to Hinduism under the patronage of the VHP in the state, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's home district Kottayam, Chandy had said there was no forced conversion in the state.

CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, however, said there was a secret understanding between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Chandy.

"What's happening is forced conversion and police have to register a case. Chandy's statement that this is not forced conversion is doubtful because there is a secret understanding with the RSS and hence no case is being registered," Vijayan said.