TN Prathapan did nothing, Suresh Gopi was the one who showed decency in that matter: MK Varghese

THRISSUR: Thrissur Mayor M.K. Varghese has repeated his criticism of former MP T.N. Prathapan. The remarks came during a press conference held in connection with the inauguration of the Laloor I.M. Vijayan Sports Complex. The mayor said he stands firm on his earlier statement that T.N. Prathapan did nothing for the Corporation during the 2020–2025 term. His comments were a response to Prathapan’s earlier remark that the mayor was trying to please the Sangh Parivar.

“I have been the mayor for five years. During this time, the MP attended only one event. At that time, he only promised to help get Rs 500 crore for the Corporation under the AMRUT scheme, but nothing happened,” the mayor said.

He added that it was Suresh Gopi who acted responsibly. “Suresh Gopi discussed our needs with me and released funds accordingly. The amount was fully used for the stated purpose,” Varghese said. He also noted that although T.N. Prathapan was a Rajya Sabha MP, no major projects were submitted or followed up during his tenure.

Reacting to the remarks, T.N. Prathapan dismissed the mayor’s statements as “utter nonsense.” In a Facebook post beginning with the line, “The LDF mayor has now received praise from the Sangh Parivar,” Prathapan alleged that the mayor’s comments were meant to support Suresh Gopi’s political campaign.

Meanwhile, Prathapan has claimed that between 2019 and 2025, development projects worth Rs 3.58 crore were implemented within the Thrissur Corporation area with his efforts. He also alleged that Mayor M.K. Varghese is a CPM-backed candidate working to benefit the BJP in the Assembly elections and accused him of being part of a “Pinarayi–Rajeev Chandrasekhar deal.”