Satheesan says defamatory campaign could be an 'insider job', given the 'intense factional feuding' in CPI(M) in Ernakulam district

Kerala's Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has rejected "insinuations" that he endorsed a "character assassination" campaign against Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader K.J. Shine.

Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, Mr Satheesan alleged that the defamatory campaign against her could be an "insider job", given the "intense factional feuding" in the CPI(M) in Ernakulam district.

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"I request the public to read between the lines of the CPI(M)'s Vypeen MLA K.N. Unnikrishnan's words so they can zero in on the real culprits", he added.

Mr Satheesan said a YouTube channel, which "routinely denigrates him", had broadcast the defamatory material. "It is true that some Congress members disseminated the libellous material broadcast by the YouTube channel, perhaps as a tit-for-tat for the attacks against party leaders. I have no role in such forwards", he added.

Mr Satheesan said he had cautioned pro-Congress social media handles from launching defamatory attacks against political rivals, particularly women.

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Mr Unnikrishnan rejected Mr Satheesan's accusation that the cyberattacks on Ms. Shine were an insider job. "The party has a rigid organisational structure, and it would immediately spot any such sly violation of party line and communist ethos, especially against comrades. If Mr Satheesan is honest, he should condemn the cyberattacks and character assassination campaign against Ms. Shine", he said.

Shine slams Congress

Meanwhile, Ms Shine told reporters in Kochi that she has moved the government against the cyberattacks. "I will leave no stone unturned in the fight for justice", she said.

Ms Shine alleged that Congress leaders in Ernakulam orchestrated the slander campaign. "They could not seek refuge behind the excuse that they merely forwarded the slurs on my character, which they had inadvertently stumbled upon on social media. Each forward is an indirect endorsement. The Congress has orchestrated the character assassination campaign against me to divert attention from accusations of improper behaviour bedevilling party leaders", she added.

Kerala Opposition Leader denies role in cyberattacks on woman CPI(M) leader K.J. Shine