Kerala CM justifies sharp remark at party worker during public event

Kottayam/Idukki: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday justified his sharp remark towards a CPM worker, who tried to ask him a question at a public event, saying that such responses will come if common decencies are not maintained.

Das P George, a native of Attachakkal in Konni, was among the audience sitting near the stage, where Vijayan was speaking after inaugurating LDF candidate K U Janeesh Kumar's election convention meeting in Konni on Monday night.

When George said he wanted to ask a question, an agitated Vijayan made a sharp remark, telling him to "go home and ask".

The video of the incident had gone viral, raising questions over chief minister's reaction.

On being asked about it on Tuesday by reporters in Idukki, CM said there were certain common decencies to be maintained at public events, and if they aren't followed, it would invite such responses.

"A public event is different from a press conference, and you cannot ask questions in the middle of it. That is not permitted in public events," said Vijayan. "Sometimes party workers get excited to different degrees," he said.

Man apologises for disrupting CM

Meanwhile, George on Tuesday regretted his act. "What I did was wrong. I shouldn't have interrupted chief minister's speech," he told reporters.

He said he wasn't hurt by CM's reaction. "It was my mistake," he said.

George, a daily wage worker, said he wanted to ask CM how govt would carry out development activities after coming to power for a third time, since Centre had blocked funds meant for KIIFB.

Meanwhile, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said chief minister had lost his composure and his remarks on Monday were made after realising defeat. "The question posed to chief minister at the convention was typical of a party worker. People often ask questions they wish to political leaders. We don't suggest they go home and ask," Venugopal told reporters in Alappuzha on Tuesday.