Chikungunya bites V.S. Achuthanandan!

By John Cheeran
Kerala’s Marxist Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan should offer an unqualified apology to the state for issuing false and irresponsible statements in the state assembly on Chikungunya deaths, and there by triggering a panic situation in the state.
Today (October 16,) Indian Medical Association (IMA) officials gave their verdict on Chikungunya. There are no deaths caused by Chikungunya in Kerala.
The IMA verdict stunned journalists attending the press conference in Thiruvananthapuram.
IMA’s doctor spokespersons made it categorical that none of the deaths at Taluk Hospital (30 dead) in Cherthala and Alappuzha Medical College in September has anything to do with Chikungunya.
All those deaths were due to reasons such as fever, stroke, heart attacks, renal failure and respiratory problems. Totally un-dramatic and totally not newsworthy!
I should say that media men will be deeply disappointed to report the good news that there are no Chikungunya deaths in Kerala.
So what about all those deaths in Alappuzha District, someone was heard asking during the press conference.
IMA fellows shot back,” what about them?” None of them died due to Chikungunya.”
It comes to me as a rude shock that people can be devoid of sense in such an incredible manner in Kerala.
On a normal day, even during the pre-Chikungunya days, people used to die in Kerala just as elsewhere.
To assume now that all those deaths are due to the spreading Chikungunya virus and to whip up a crisis was utter foolishness on the part of politicians such as V.S. and the media.
In the light of IMA’s statement, Achuthanandan becomes the man responsible for the unhealthy situation.
And to consider that Kerala Chief Minister railed against the Union Health Minister Anbumani Dass for telling the truth (no Chikungunya deaths in Kerala) and wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to restrain Anbumani from making such statements is really pathetic.
It is time CPI (M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan instilled some sense to comrade V.S.
So what made Achuthanandan jump the gun and heap ridicule on his own party’s Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi, ignoring the reports given by the state health department?
V.S. has a track record of cheap populism.
His penchant for playing in to the gallery is legendary.
Whether it is Coca-Cola issue or reclaiming agriculture land, his vote-grabbing politics remains deaf to the voice of reason.