'Didn't you have any issues while taking money from me?' Vellappally lashes out at CPI

CHERTHALA: SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan has said that he stands by his “Chathiyan Chandu” remark against the CPI. He made the statement while speaking to the media at his residence in Kanichukulangara.

Vellappally responded to CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam’s remark that he would shake hands and smile at Vellappally, but would not allow him to get into his car. Vellappally questioned whether it was acceptable to shake hands and take money from him, pointing out that Binoy Viswam had taken money from him four months ago as well. He claimed that he had given three times more than what was asked for and added that he was not revealing everything that Binoy Viswam had said at the time.

"There is no need for me to get into Binoy Viswam’s car. If you look at history, my own cars had earlier been used by prominent CPI leaders such as P.K. Vasudevan Nair and P.S. Srinivasan," Vellappally said.

CPI played key role in LDF’s local body poll defeat
Vellappally alleged that the CPI’s approach had caused major damage to the LDF in the local body elections. He said the CPI chose to create public controversies instead of resolving issues within the front. He also criticised the CPI for opposing a central government education scheme that would have benefited the states.

"The CPI played a major role in the LDF’s defeat in the elections. When I pointed this out, Binoy Viswam tried to tarnish my image. Even when there are disagreements with central policies, some schemes still need to be implemented by the state," Vellappally said.

He said the CPI’s decision to ignore this and create public disputes reflected a “Chathiyan Chandu” approach. He concluded by saying that the CPI should review how many seats it actually won in the local body elections.