‘Some words have to be used against those taking a bad stand’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: LDF convener and Perambra candidate T P Ramakrishnan justified the controversial remarks of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Thomas Isaac. He said that some words may have to be used against people taking a bad stand. The chief minister’s use of the word chettatharam (meanness) and Thomas Isaac’s komali ‘joker’ remark had sparked a major controversy. Such usages are sometimes unavoidable in some situations, he said.

The chief minister used the term chettatharam while responding to a question about G Sudhakaran, who left the party and is now contesting polls in Ambalappuzha with the support of the UDF. He said Sudhakaran’s actions amounted to chettatharam and repeated that he had no other words to describe him. G Sudhakaran while responding said that he takes pride in being called ‘chetta,’ adding that the word chetta meant one living in a hut and is the home of the working class and that he had lived in such conditions until 18.

Thomas Isaac referred to Ramesh Pisharody as a ‘joker’ contesting from Palakkad. He had questioned the logic of fielding someone who performs in a joker’s role as a candidate. However, he later expressed regret, clarifying that his statement was meant as political criticism. He said his remarks were aimed at Pisharody’s international stand on the Palestine issue and apologized for the use of the term ‘joker.’