THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the Kerala assembly elections are fast approaching, the controversy surrounding Congress leader K Sudhakaran's remarks against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan heated up on Friday with the Congress as well as the BJP extending support to Sudhakaran. On the other hand, the CPM decided it as a weapon against the UDF and BJP ahead of the elections.

The Congress leaders appeared to be in a hurry to evade the controversy. They tried to establish that Sudhakaran's criticism was political and there was no use of any casteist remark against the CM. With the party finding itself on the receiving end, The Congress leadership felt that it should avoid controversies that can only lead to the party finding itself on the receiving end and instead intensify its criticism against the government by exposing its corruption and extravagance.

The High Command had sought an explanation from Sudhakaran on the controversial reference. The decision was taken after Sudhakaran clarified that he only mentioned the occupation of Vijayan's family to point out his "lavish lifestyle" now. Following this, party general secretary K C Venugopal said the statement was made in a colloquial manner.

KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran may contest from Koduvalli or Koyilandy in Kozhikode district. There is an informal understanding within the Congress to consider Sudhakaran for the post of acting president of the KPCC. . The High Command also reckons that Sudhakaran's presence will help in raising the morale of the party workers ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, BJP state president K Surendran also said there was no need to consider the statement made by Sudhakaran as casteist. "There is no need for such a controversy. The Left leaders have made even more derogatory statements earlier," he alleged.

At the same time, the CPM alleged that Sudhakaran's threat to join the BJP was the reason why the Congress leaders took a u-turn from their earlier stance. law minister A K Balan alleged the MP from Kannur, the home district of the chief minister, always had 'hatred' towards Vijayan and Congress leaders were afraid of their colleague. "The Congress leaders should show some spine to stop Sudhakran from making such casteist remarks," Balan said.