THRISSUR: Union Minister Suresh Gopi mocking an elderly woman while seeking his help in recovering her deposit from Karuvannur Cooperative Bank, has drawn widespread criticism. The elderly identified as Anandavally while responding to a news channel said that she was hurt at his remark.

She said that when he came during election time, he had promised to recover the money from Karuvannur. She said that she went there expecting that, but his remark pained me a lot. I have to get Rs 1.75 lakhs. The bank deceived us. Now, I don’t have money to meet even my medical expenses. The bank and Suresh Gopi did not help. My life would move forward if given at least Rs 10,000 monthly to buy medicines. He is one who grew up watching movies from a young age. I went to meet him yesterday with that expectation, she said.

Suresh Gopi insulted Anandavally during the Kalunk Sabha held in Irinjalakuda yesterday. 'Is the chief minister ready to return the money seized by the ED from Karuvannur Bank, to the people? Tell your chief minister to get that money from the ED. I am saying this publicly. Or else go and meet your MLA,' Suresh Gopi first told Anandavally when she asked if he could help her in getting the deposit back. When she asked whether it would be possible for her to meet the chief minister, Suresh Gopi sarcastically said, 'Then climb onto my chest, your minister is living right here?' Hearing this, everyone gathered there burst out laughing.

The woman then asked, 'Sir, aren't you, our minister? 'No, I am a minister of this country. I have already given you my answer. Meet your chief minister and ask him to get that money from the ED and then distribute it among you,' Suresh Gopi said. The criticism against Suresh Gopi intensified after the footage of this surfaced. The minister had earlier refused to accept a request from an elderly man in the Kalunk debate held just before this.