THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pandalam palace member Sasi Kumar Varma has come down heavily on Communist leaders, saying that they didn’t have the gratitude they owe to the Pandalam palace for helping them during the period of their underground life.

Countering the government’s remark that it was he who owed the CPM gratitude for getting government salary, Sasi Kumar Varma said, “I reached Secretariat by passing the PSC exam and not as a representative of Pandalam palace.”

He was speaking at the eight State conference of Akhila Kerala Thantri Mandalam on Monday.

“When communist leaders were in hiding, it was the cells of the pandalam palace that saved them. They should show the gratitude for the rice they were fed with in those days.

Politicians don’t give the importance they give to women in speeches to their activities in public life. They were forced to give seats and reservation to women only because amendment was brought to the Constitution. It is Hindu community that gives highest importance to women.

The Communist leaders now see Thantri as an abusive term. Bad comments are made by leaders who reach a top position which they don’t deserve. Don’t politicise any issue and incite fighting between groups.

There are certain rules and customs for bringing change to age old rituals. What is first needed is to create a conducive atmosphere for people to accept changes,” he said.