Friendship with Suresh Gopi: CPM summons Thrissur Mayor

THRISSUR: The CPM on Tuesday summoned Thrissur Mayor MK Varghese to the CPM district secretary's office following allegations that he is close to Suresh Gopi. CPM District Secretary MM Varghese is reported to have warned that MK Varghese's friendship with Suresh Gopi would be bad for the LDF. Following this, the mayor called a press conference and explained that it is not right to see everything as political. "I saw Suresh Gopi as a part of development. I am part of the Left," explained MK Varghese.

Meanwhile, there are indications that CPI district secretary KK Valsaraj reached the CPM district committee office and demanded the mayor's resignation. There is also a possibility that the demand to change the Mayor will be presented as a resolution in the CPI's election review meeting to be held in Thrissur on the 17th and 18th.

LDF was relegated to the third position in the Thrissur assembly constituency in the Lok Sabha elections. The CPI alleged that the mayor had a soft approach to Suresh Gopi even in the council.

No special affinity with Suresh Gopi

MK Varghese said that he has no special affinity with Suresh Gopi. "I will stand for projects that are good for the corporation and the people no matter who comes as an MP or MLA from any political party," said the mayor. MK Varghese rejected the demand of CPI district secretary and candidate VS Sunil Kumar that the mayor should resign. The mayor also said that he often met Suresh Gopi by chance.