KOLLAM: BJP State President K Surendran has criticized the appointment and removal of Sriram Venkitaraman as Alappuzha district collector following protests. Surendran said that if Dileep, the accused in actor assault case can act in films then Sriram Venkitaraman, the accused in drunk-driving accident that caused the death of a journalist, can also work as Collector. He was answering to the questions asked by media during press conference held in Kollam.
'Can we tell Dileep not to act in any film considering the case against him? The case against Dileep should be properly investigated and he should be punished if he is proven guilty. That is the right way. It is said that Sriram Venkataraman should not work as a collector in any district. CPIs say that he should not be appointed in the Civil Supplies Department either. Is this fair? What some people decide is happening here. No one supports Sriram Venkitaraman. BJP also demands to prove the case and if he is guilty, he should be punished. But in that case, the decision that a person who was as an accused will not be allowed to hold any position after being reinstated in the service will not be accepted. Surendran also accused the government of kneeling before religious organizations.
K Surendran had earlier protested against the removal of Sriram Venkitaraman from the post of Alappuzha Collector. In a Facebook post, K Surendran alleged that the government's decision cannot be justified and is sending a wrong message. He also said that the withdrawal of decision following pressure is cowardice.