Congress disowns ‘Veekshanam’ editorial against M P Veerendrakumar
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Thiruvananthapuram: KPCC President V M Sudheeran has criticised party mouthpiece ‘Veekshanam’ for publishing an article against JD(U) State president M P Veerendra Kumar on Wednesday.
Terming the article inappropriate and ill-timed, Sudheeran told the media that the views expressed in the article were not of the Congress.
“The party has taken the issue very seriously. The officials at the newspaper have been directed not to repeat such actions,” he said.
“The party does not interfere in the newspaper’s day-to-day business. But they have the responsibility to be aware of the party stand on critical topics,” the Congress leader said adding that he would think if any further action is needed on the issue.
“Veerendrakumar is a senior leader of the UDF. I had met him before and after he attended the CPI-M program. There is nothing wrong in attending a program of the rival party as it is quite common to keep a rapport with the leaders of the opposition parties,” the Congress leader said.
Although it had no direct mentioning, the editorial of the Veekshanam daily on Wednesday was all aimed at the JD(U) that is likely to leave the Front out of growing dissatisfaction over the Congress’ alleged ‘step-motherly treatment’ towards it.
The article sharply criticises JD(U) for planning to leave the UDF as it was the Front that provided it with ‘accommodation’ for a long time. The write-up calls JD(U)’s move unethical as “setting the home, which sheltered it for a long period, on fire and leaving it is cruelty.”
Veerendra Kumar, however, had on Tuesday said that the Janata Dal (United) is still a constituent of the Congress led ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) in the state. He had ruled out any political agenda in sharing platform with CPI-M leaders.
Kumar had met CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and veteran V S Achuthanandan in Kozhikode some days ago. He had also stayed away from the UDF meet at Thiruvanthapuram on Tuesday saying it was convened to discuss regional jathas.
