UDF upset over Adoor Prakashs open support for Dileep in actor assault case
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Major constituents in the Opposition UDF want the Congress leadership to restrict UDF convener Adoor Prakash, whom they feel, has been getting the front into back-to-back crises. The latest in the series was his open support for actor Dileep in the actor assault case on the poll day morning. Hours after the first phase voting for local body election began in the state, opposition UDF received a body blow with Adoor Prakash voicing his support for actor Dileep in the actor assault case. Speaking to the media in Pathanamthitta after casting his vote, Prakash said Dileep got justice with his acquittal in the case. He added that being a close acquaintance of Dileep, he felt personally happy. He criticised the government for its move to go in for an appeal. As the statement, which is in stark contradiction to the party position, invited heavy backlash from within the Congress and the UDF, the High Command quickly intervened for damage control and directed Prakash to amend his stance. Under fire, the senior leader made a U-turn later in the day, saying his words were misinterpreted and that justice was not served to the survivor. However, by then, the polling-day damage had already been done. A slew of Congress leaders were quick to distance themselves from Prakash, while senior Left leaders condemned the remark. The major goof-up triggered strong resentment from within both the UDF and the Congress. The Congress High Command was visibly upset with the remark and quickly intervened. AICC Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi and KPCC president Sunny Joseph spoke to Adoor Prakash, following which the latter issued a clarification. The party position is very clear. As the KPCC president clearly explained, we do not support the verdict. Senior leaders like Leader of Opposition (V D Satheesan) and Muraleedharan too have clearly stated the party line, Deepa Dasmunshi told TNIE. The poll-day debacle did not go down well with UDF constituents too. What Prakash said was his personal opinion. It has nothing to do with the UDF position, said IUML general secretary P M A Salam. With the PCC chiefs quick intervention, the damage was contained, but the damage was there. Earlier in the case of Rahul Mamkootathil too, he took such a position. Its time the Congress took some clear action in his case, another senior UDF leader told TNIE. Theres strong resentment within the Congress too. Its highly shameful. How can such a statement be made on polling-day day morning? Earlier he supported Rahul Mamkootathil too. Its time the leadership intervened, opined a Political Affairs Committee member. A slew of senior leaders including Sunny Joseph, V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and Shashi Tharoor, in addition to Mahila Congress leader Shanimol Osman rejected Prakashs statement.
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