"Did not call him Paranari or wretched creature, does Chief Minister think he is a king?": Ramesh Chennithala lashes out

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has questioned whether the Chief Minister of Kerala thinks he is a king. "I did not call him a Paranari (a scoundrel) or a wretched creature. I called him Mr. Chief Minister. He did not like that. That is why he created a big ruckus," added Ramesh Chennithala. He was speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, expressing support for the ASHA workers' strike.

"I called him Mr. Chief Minister in a courteous manner. He didn't like it. He was very loud yesterday. Let me tell one thing, your protest is proving that his ego and arrogance towards ASHA workers are not acceptable. I wish you all the support for the protest. This is the third time I am coming here. Even if I have to come three hundred times, I will be with you," Chennithala said.

A verbal spat occurred in the Assembly the other day between Chennithala and the Chief Minister. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was reacting angrily when Ramesh Chennithala repeatedly called him Mr. Chief Minister. Chennithala's address was accusing the government of failing to prevent the spread of drug abuse.

The Chief Minister, who got up in anger, asked if he should answer every time he was called Mr. Chief Minister, Mr. Chief Minister. He said that asking every question by calling him Mr. Chief Minister is not enough and we should understand the problem the state is facing. Opposition leader VD Satheesan retorted that you will be blamed since you are the Chief Minister of Kerala. When Chennithala responded that it is not up to the Chief Minister to decide what Chennithala should say, the Chief Minister asked Chennithala to speak on the issue.