THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In response to CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's criticism that the campaign against the SilverLine violates federal principles, Union Minister V. Muraleedharan responded saying that it was not surprising that those who called great person like Subhash Chandra Bose a "shoe licker of the British" were abusing people like him.

V. Muraleedharan continued that if they want to know what he has done for Kerala, they should just ask the students who came from Ukraine. He asked why CPM is having issue when he visits people affected by SilverLine. "The people of Kerala have a clear vision of whether this project will promote development or the people will lose their homes. If they want to know what I have done for Kerala, they have to ask the children who returned from Ukraine and the fishermen who escaped from the Seychelles in South Africa as a result of the government's efforts," Muraleedharan said.

So do not try to intimidate by saying it is a federal principle. The CPM has raised allegations beyond this level against many people. People who protest against K Rail have been accused of being terrorists. Insulting protesters has been a habit in the history of the Communist Party. It started before independence. V Muraleedharan said it was no surprise that those who called a great person like Subhash Chandra Bose "shoelickers of the British" had insulted me by saying that I had violated federal principles.