Kerala - Alappuzha   

Tolerance is cornerstone of democracy: Chandy

Staff Reporter

`It is found to be least among political parties at present'

ALAPPUZHA: Parties in the ruling front and Opposition should realise that tolerance is the most important virtue of democracy, Opposition leader Oommen Chandy has said.

Inaugurating a meeting organised by the P.T. Chacko Foundation here on Sunday in connection with the presentation of the P.T. Chacko Foundation award 2006 to the former minister Baby John, Mr. Chandy said tolerance was found to be least among political parties at present. "There is a tendency among those who wield the power to crush those who criticise them," noted Mr. Chandy. He opined that such tendencies were not in accordance with the true spirit of democracy.

Similarly, the Opposition should not try to oppose whatever being done by those in power, remarked Mr. Chandy. He said the late P.T. Chacko was a political leader who showed rare tolerance towards those who opposed him.

Mr. Chacko was bold and faced the challenges directly, recounted Mr. Chandy. But, Mr. Chacko also tried to solve difference of opinions through discussions in a cordial atmosphere, he added. Mr. Chandy said Mr. Baby John, who is ailing, was one of the leaders who had the ability to easily untie the Gordian knots of various issues. His absence in Kerala's political scene was being felt by the State, opined Mr. Chandy.

Mr. Baby John's wife Annamma John received the award on behalf of her husband. Alappuzha MP K.S. Manoj delivered the keynote address.

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Tolerance is cornerstone of democracy: Chandy

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