TRIVANDRUM, 7 November — Veteran Congress party leader K. Karunakaran has lashed out at Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony, a party colleague, for his allegedly inept handling of the police force in the southern state.
Speaking at his home here yesterday, Karunakaran, who has served as the state’s chief minister four times, said while he was not keen to engage in a tiff with his colleague, "I have every right to tell Antony what I feel".
"The entire rank and file of the Congress is upset over the way Antony has handled last week’s arrest of the Calicut district president of the Congress, M. Veerankutty," Karunakaran claimed.
"I am really sorry to say this because if this is the fate of the district president of the ruling party, what could the ordinary people look forward to from Antony and his police?" The district president was arrested in the early hours of Nov. 1 on the instructions of Calicut Police Commissioner Vijay Sakhare for allegedly violating guidelines for taking out a procession. The Karunakaran-led faction within the state has since been baying for Antony’s blood. Veerankutty is a staunch Karunakaran supporter.
"I do not know why Antony is silent. It is high time he takes action (against the police). I have been a home minister and chief minister, and it is no tough job to take action," said Karunakaran.
Antony however, says the law is the same for everyone and if anyone, including the police commissioner, had been at fault, strong action would be taken.
Antony Monday held a meeting with the police brass and it is reported that he went hammer and tongs at the officers for the allegedly irresponsible behavior of police personnel at Calicut.
But what has upset Karunakaran is that Antony, who is in charge of the Home Department, did not take action against the Calicut police commissioner even after the meeting. Officials say Antony might ask the commissioner to go on leave till an inquiry is conducted into the incident.
Kerala Congress President K. Muraleedharan, an MP from Calicut, last week demanded that Antony take action against the errant police personnel to assuage the feelings of party workers. Muraleedharan is also Karunakaran’s son.
