Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, here on Saturday, slammed the Congress, took on its top leaders and singled out state party chief Mullapally Ramachandran for his curt remark against Health Minister K.K. Shailaja.

"The Congress-led opposition is rattled. They are trying their best to unsettle the state government. Don't know what has happened to the state Congress chief. He has belittled the hardworking Health Minister (Shailaja). He even went to the extent of portraying in poor light the husband of nurse Lini, who gave her life taking care of Nipah virus patients. At no cost it will be allowed. Kerala will be strongly with them," said Vijayan.

Criticising Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, Vijayan said, "He had advised us to follow the policy of mitigation as done by the US and states like Tamil Nadu. Just imagine what would have happened had we followed his advice.

"Also, at a protest on Friday by the Congress, everyone was crowding to be in the frame. It violated all lockdown norms. He (Chennithala) also belittled Shailaja. The Congress is a national party. We wish to hear what they have to say on all what's happening here."

While kicking off a protest meeting at the Secretariat on Friday, Ramachandran criticised Shailaja saying she was trying to take credit, but doing nothing, and bringing hardship to the diaspora.

"She earned the title 'Nipah princess' by just playing a 'guest role' when Nipah struck Kozhikode. Now she is trying to earn the title of 'Covid queen', when our diaspora is waiting to return to their home town.

"This Left Front government has cheated the diaspora, when they needed the support," Ramachandran said.

During the day, the CPI-M women's wing took out a march to Ramachandran's house in the Kozhikode district demanding an apology for his remark.

Sajesh, husband of Lini, not only praised Shailaja, but also took on Ramachandran. Shailaja was like a family member to them. She stood by the grieving family and even now called on Lini's death anniversary, he said.

Sajesh said when Nipah struck Kozhikode, Ramachandran was a Lok Sabha member from Vadakara and did nothing.

Reacting to this, Congress workers marched to Sajesh's office and said Ramachandran was very much active in the fight against Nipah and he had even spoken to Sajesh.

Ramachandran said he stood by his words. The credit for fighting the Nipah virus should go to the hard working health professionals at Kozhikode, he added.