Asia ReView

By YOJNA GUSAI

New Delhi

Dec. 2: The Left parties, particularly the CPI(M), ran for cover, following the Kerala chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s refusal to apologise for virtually making a derogatory remark on the martyr, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan family member on Monday. The Kerala chief minister had told television channels: "If it had not been (Major) Sandeep’s house, not even a dog would have gone there." The RJD chief and the Railway minister, Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav demanded immediate removal of Mr Achuthanandan for his remarks.

As the CPI(M) top leadership failed to get the chief minister regret his remarks, the party general secretary Prakash Karat had to issue an apology saying "Certain remarks made by Mr V.S. Achuthanandan are regrettable." While the party sources revealed that Mr Karat had pulled up the chief minister, Mr Karat said, "I have spoken to him over phone from Rajasthan. He has assured that he no other intention but, to go to the home Sandeep Unnikrishnan who was brutally killed by terrorists in Mumbai, to pay homage and to condole with his family." When asked, whether he regretted his remarks, all Mr Achuthanandan said was "No, no."

While on Monday night, the CPI(M) and CPI leaders were busy ducking the media, CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan described his remarks as "unfortunate."

He also felt that such kind of remarks were "unbecoming of a chief minister". The CPI general secretary, maintained that "martyrs belong to the entire nation".