Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi has hit back at critics of his ‘Kalungu Souhruda Samvadam,’ saying that he will not be silenced or intimidated by threats.   

Speaking at the inauguration of MP. C. Sadanandan’s office in Kannur on Sunday (October 12, 2025), Mr. Gopi asserted that his public interactions embody the “purity of democracy” and likened it to a surgical strike aimed at truth and transparency.   

“It benefits everyone who participates in such discussions. Political purity and purity of mind are essential for both the speaker and the listener,” he said, adding that critics are “afraid because something genuine has begun to happen.”  

Responding to Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leaders M. V. Jayarajan and P. Jayarajan, who criticised Mr. Sadanandan’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Gopi said Mr. Sadanandan’s entry marks the BJP’s stepping stone to Kannur.

“This moment, given Kannur’s political background, was made possible only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he remarked.       

Taking a swipe at the CPI(M) leaders, he said ,“Jayarajan brothers were upset and feared that Mr. Sadanandan would bring development to Kannur. “

“This is not jealousy, but anxiety,” he remarked. 

CPI(M) leaders’ criticism

The CPI(M) leaders had earlier criticised Mr. Sadanandan’s nomination, with Mr. M.V. Jayarajan comparing him to Pragya Singh Thakur, while Mr. P. Jayarajan termed him a “disgraced Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader.” Responding to this, Mr. Gopi said the decision was made to bring the skills and spirit of the Modi government to Kerala, describing Mr. Sadanandan as a “prime example of Karma.”          

He also expressed hope that Mr. Sadnandan’s MP office would soon become a Union Minister’s office, even stating, “I would be happy if Mr. Sadanandan is made a Union Minister instead of me.”        

Of his film career, the Minister said he intends to continue acting.           

‘Words being distorted’

Reiterating that his words were being deliberately distorted, Mr. Gopi said, “Now whatever is said is twisted. Everyone gets upset when we say ‘Praja’ (people). What is wrong with saying ‘Praja’? They should first learn what Prajatantra (democracy) truly means.”  

He added that there would soon be a “surgical strike” on the misinterpretations of his earlier remarks. “Dont try to scare me. I cannot be a politician who hides his pain and anger. I want to live as a human being, not just as a politician,” he said.