Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120360460800.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Chennithala asks VS to apologise

Special Correspondent

KOCHI: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s remarks about the slain NSG commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s family were unbecoming of a Chief Minister, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala has said.

Mr. Chennithala said here on Tuesday that the remarks disgraced the entire State and wanted the Chief Minister to publicly apologise.

Sandeep was a brave person who had sacrificed his life for the nation. A man of Mr. Achuthanandan’s standing and seniority should have never made a disparaging remark against his mourning family, he said.

Senior Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran demanded that the Chief Minister resign from his post.

‘An insult’

Staff Reporter writes from Malappuram:

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has accused Mr. Achuthanandan of insulting the people of Kerala by using indecent remarks against the family of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan.

“The Chief Minister has no moral right to continue in that post,” said P.K. Kunhalikutty, State general secretary of the IUML here on Tuesday. “He used street language to denounce the family of an officer who laid down his life for the country.”

‘Withdraw remarks’

Special Correspondent writes from Thiruvananthapuram:

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M.S. Kumar has demanded that the Chief Minister withdraw the ‘derogatory’ remarks.

Mr. Kumar told reporters here on Tuesday that Mr. Achuthanandan should withdraw the remarks and apologise to the family. If he refused to apologise, Keralites should seek apology as it has brought dishonour to the State.

While CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan reacted with maturity, Mr. Achuthanandan’s remarks were unwarranted. It was unbecoming of a Chief Minister, he said.