'Don't make everything controversial, I didn't promise to attend Youth Congress' programme'; Chandy Oommen MLA responds to group squabbles

KOZHIKODE: Chandy Oommen MLA clarified on the allegation that he stayed away from the Youth Congress protests programme against Kozhikode Corporation. Chandy Oommen was scheduled to be the inaugurator of the programme. When Chandy Oommen failed to arrive, there was also an allegation of group interest. Kozhikode DCC President K Praveen Kumar had responded that it was not right for him to not participate in it. There are also allegations that some Congress leaders tried to prevent him from participating in it.

Chandy Oommen said that he went to Dubai to discuss the release of Nimisha Priya, jailed in Yemen, and reached the airport at 3:30 in the morning. 'I reached the hotel at 5 am. I didn't admit to attend the programme. The constituency president did not invite me. I said would attend only if possible. Ramya Haridas promised to attend the programme. The DCC president seeking explanation would settle in the party. Don't make everything controversial. I promised to attend the programme at the Christian College and the one at Mukkam. The controversy is unnecessary,' said Chandy Oommen.

Meantime, the allegation is that Siddique faction intervened and banned Chandy Oommen from attending the program as he is the president of the Youth Congress South Mandal Committee and belongs to Group A. The Youth Congress has stated that Chandy Oommen's action is to tarnish the image of the protest programs being held by the Congress and Youth Congress against the corporation in view of the local body elections, and that will file a complaint against Congress leaders.