'Massive crowd everywhere, no factionalism or communalism'; Shafi Parambil responds to controversy

KOZHIKODE: Shafi Parambil MP responded to the controversy that erupted during the reception program for the Puthu Yuga Yatra led by Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan in Kuttiyadi. Shafi praised the organisers, saying that the Yatra was crowded with people and ruled out rumours of factionalism. The controversy erupted after Shafi made his anger public over not being called to speak first at the event.

Shafi was supposed to speak before VD Satheesan. However, DCC Secretary Pramod Kakattil, who was presiding over the meeting, called Satheesan to speak. Meanwhile, there were demand from the audience to call Shafi to speak. Drama ensued when Pramod Kakattil, who moved towards the microphone, was stopped by Shafi. A small altercation took place on stage, and Satheesan took the podium to speak first. Later, after Satheesan's speech, Pramod Kakattil called Shafi to speak.

Shafi, who said that he would not speak much, ended it with a single line. Shafi alluded to the opposition leader’s vow to cross 100 seats in the upcoming assembly and promised that Kuttiyadi will also be part of those 100 seats. Meanwhile, DCC President K Praveen Kumar denied any tussle between leaders over the incident.