MP John Brittas Shows Strong Intervention Skills to Defend Kerala’s Interests: CM

Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said that Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas is an effective parliamentarian with strong intervention skills who has acted solely to safeguard Kerala’s interests. Brittas’s interventions, he said, were aimed at securing what the state is rightfully entitled to, and “no other kind of action has taken place from his side.”

The Chief Minister was responding to criticism from the Congress by referring to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s reply in Parliament on the PM-SHRI scheme.

Speaking at the ‘Meet the Press’ event organised at the Ernakulam Press Club, Pinarayi Vijayan said Members of Parliament are expected to function as Kerala’s ambassadors and work collectively to obtain the state’s due share from the Union Government. Before every parliamentary session, the state government convenes a meeting of MPs to brief them on central matters, Kerala’s demands, and the follow-up interventions required. “The idea is for MPs elected from Kerala to stand together and act in the state’s interest,” he said.

He noted that during the previous Lok Sabha terms, several MPs—despite belonging to the opposition—were unwilling to challenge what he described as discriminatory actions by the Union Government. “On many issues, MPs took positions opposed to that of the state government, which was detrimental to Kerala’s interests,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the situation has changed in the current Lok Sabha, with Kerala’s MPs showing greater unity and raising common issues more effectively. “They have stood together on several occasions to push for Kerala’s needs,” he added.

Pinarayi Vijayan also said that John Brittas has been fulfilling his responsibilities as a Rajya Sabha member effectively. “He demonstrates strong intervention capability within Parliament and engages constructively on matters important to Kerala,” he said.