New Delhi, December 2
Kerala Chief Minister V.S Achuthanandan’s remarks made during his visit to the Bangalore residence of slain NSG commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan has evoked strong reactions from the Congress as also his own party CPM.
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Achutanandan not bothered
Achutanandan has refused to apologise for his insensitive remarks.
“I did not say anything wrong. We respect their family and that is why we went there,” an unapologetic CM told TV channel Times Now. “I was not angry at their behaviour. When I and the state home minister went there, his (Sandeep’s father) wife and relatives told us that his mental state is not right, so please don’t misunderstand him,” he said.
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Paying heed to peoples’ growing anger against politicians, the CPM today described as “regrettable” Achuthanandan’s remarks made during his visit to Unnikrishnan house. The Congress, on the other hand, condemned the Kerala Chief Minister’s remarks, calling for an immediate apology.
CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, in a measured statement issued from Rajasthan, admitted that “certain remarks made by V.S. Achuthanandan are regrettable.”
“I have spoken to him over phone from Rajasthan. He has assured that he had no other intention but to go to the home of Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who was brutally killed by terrorists in Mumbai, to pay homage and condole the family,” he added.
The Congress went all out condemning Achuthanandan for his remarks. “I want to make it clear that the Kerala Chief Minister’s remarks in context of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s family are condemnable. The Congress salutes the supreme sacrifice made by martyrs and completely condemns such insensitive observation. The party (Congress) is extremely sensitive and aware of the public opinion. Such a statement should not have been made and the Congress demands an apology immediately,” party spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.
NSG commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was killed in the Mumbai terror attacks during a commando operation.
The octogenarian CPM leader was turned away from the Bangalore home of Sandeep, a Keralite, for what his father perceived as the Kerala government ignoring his son’s supreme sacrifice by not making a condolence call on time.
