‘Forest minister who cannot protect people's lives should be sacked'; serious mistake occurred, says V Muraleedharan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister V Muraleedharan asked to sack the forest minister who cannot ensure the protection of people’s lives. The family of Ajeesh, who was trampled to death by an elephant in Wayanad, has also put forward this demand. There is no need to feed people like A K Saseendran with taxpayers' money, Muraleedharan said while talking to the media.

It is a serious failure that the forest department could not even give a warning despite the radio collar fitted by the Government of Karnataka. Kerala and Karnataka forest ministers were in Delhi at the same time for the anti-Modi protest. The union minister said if there had been any discussion on this issue, the people would have benefited from it. The union minister also asked what steps were taken to protect the interests of the people of Kerala during the protest against Modi. Muraleedharan also mocked that Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi, who is also the leader of Karnataka ruling party, is not aware of what is happening in his constituency.

A K Saseendran had claimed that the chief minister’s office is looking after the tusker. V. Muraleedharan pointed that the minister's job is not to meet the media and give information about where the elephant is going. Kerala is ruled by a forest minister who does not know what forests are and a finance minister who does not know what economics is. The government should assert where the money given by the centre to combat wildlife attacks has gone, whether any plans have been made to build electric fences or supply food to the forest. The union minister also asked the chief minister to give an explanation on Project Elephant.