Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2 (PTI) Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said he had cancelled his participation in a Sree Narayana Jayanti programme at Chenthi here two weeks ago after being informed that it was being organised by a person with a “criminal background” and subsequently receiving a police report.
Satheesan said he had been invited to the programme, but workers from the area informed him about the organiser’s criminal background, following which he received a police report and decided to drop the event.
The chief minister was replying to a question by reporters here about a row pertaining to some Congress workers, including a local leader named Anil Kumar alias Chenthi Ani, allegedly waylaying him following which police arrested the accused last week.
Satheesan said he got down from his vehicle while on his way to nearby Chempazhanthy after noticing party leaders and workers standing there.
“Nobody stopped me. I got down when they asked me to offer floral tributes. It was then that the particular individual (Anil) spoke to me in an improper manner. I did not want to create an issue there, so I returned,” Satheesan said.
He said the police had registered a case on their own.
Satheesan said he did not personally know Anil Kumar, then associated with the Thiruvananthapuram District Congress Committee (DCC).
“I do not know him personally. I have no personal acquaintance with him. I have visited his house, but that was because I knew his wife, who was a former councillor. She passed away after the local body elections. I had gone to their house when she died,” he said.
“I have nothing more to say on this. The police are investigating the case, and I do not want to say anything further,” he added.
Anil Kumar was arrested last week for allegedly blocking Satheesan’s official convoy while the latter was on his way to attend a function.
According to police, Anil and others allegedly blocked the convoy demanding that Satheesan attend an event organised by them, though the programme was not part of the CM’s accepted list of engagements.
The Congress subsequently initiated disciplinary action and removed Anil from the party.
Police have also said that Anil is listed in the Rowdy History Sheet (RHS) of the Sreekaryam police station and that six criminal cases have been registered against him.
Meanwhile, a local court here on Wednesday granted bail to Anil.
Later, speaking to a television channel, Anil said he regretted making the remarks and apologised to the chief minister.
“I said several inappropriate things in the heat of the moment, and I deeply regret it. I did not expect the matter to escalate like this. I understand that my remarks have hurt the chief minister as well and so I apologise to him. If I get an opportunity, I will personally apologise to him,” he said. PTI LGK SA
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