'Never said Indira Gandhi is mother of India,’ will not take such things at face value, says Suresh Gopi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister Suresh Gopi said his remark about former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was misinterpreted. Had never said that Indira Gandhi is mother of the nation, said that she is mother of Congress. He said that there was no mistake in the usage.

‘I said K Karunakaran is the father of the Congress in Kerala. Whether anyone likes it or not that's what I said. When we say Bharath, we mean mother. Indira Gandhi is in my heart. Apart from that, there is no irony in saying that the father of the nation is Mahatma Gandhi and the mother of the nation is Indira Gandhi. I didn't notice the commotion that happened yesterday due to this. It is because I have a huge responsibility before me. I will not take anything like this at face value anymore,' said Suresh Gopi. He said that his activities will not be limited to Thrissur and his focus will be on Tamil Nadu as well.

Speaking to the media after paying floral tributes at the memorial of Karunakaran and his wife Kalyanikutty Amma at Thrissur Murali Mandir yesterday, Suresh Gopi said that he sees K Karunakaran as the father of Kerala just as Indira Gandhi is seen as the mother of India.

Suresh Gopi said
Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is the mother of India. Likewise, leader K Karunakaran is the father of Congress in Kerala. He is a courageous administrator. There is no politics in visiting Murali Mandir. Kalyanikutty Amma is the mother he got before Sarada teacher. Karunakaran's influence has been good for Kerala. Karunakaran is admired as a courageous administrator. He said that he is here to pay respects to his guru.

Leader is one who has a great place among his political gurus. Even if he is not on his political path, he should not lose his dignity. There is no need to see politics in this. When he was a candidate in Thrissur in 2019, he wanted to visit Murali Mandir, had sought permission to Padmaja then. However, permission was denied then. She asked him what she will tell her party members. Came here today as union minister. It cannot be stopped by K Muraleedharan or anyone else.'