Praising Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Oommen Chandy memorial function; Chandy Oommen MLA with explanation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chandy Oommen MLA has come up with an explanation after his speech praising the Chief Minister at the Oommen Chandy memorial function came under fire.

"I did not speak on a political platform. I did not speak politics at the memorial service. I only explained some personal matters there. I would like to request not to take it to another level."
"In the function, I only explained what happened when my father was alive. I did not say what happened politically. My father has shown me the path of forgiveness and tolerance. My father is a person who forgave even those who threw stones at him. My path is also the same. So the memorial ceremony should be left alone."

"At the same time, I am someone who dressed in black and showed a black flag against the Chief Minister on the road. My father was attacked by this person during the Solar days. I was attacked, and even my marriage was cancelled. I was even accused of trying to kill my father. I have no hesitation in saying that. Political opposition will continue. However, everyone is needed and no one can be replaced if we want the society to stick together."

Senior lawyer George Poonthottam, who is close to the Congress, had criticized Chandy Oommen for praising the Chief Minister. In a letter to Chandy Oommen, he stated that he was prompted to criticize Chandy Oommen for becoming part of a planned move to improve the image of the unpopular Chief Minister.