Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Sudhakaran flays MLAs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran has said that he is examining the possibility of giving a notice for breach of his privileges as a Minister against the Congress MLAs G. Karthikeyan and K.C. Joseph who had criticised his refusal to offer prayers while at the Guruvayur temple the other day.

At a news conference here on Thursday, Mr. Sudhakaran said he had consulted lawyers of the Supreme Court as well as the High Court on the subject.

Terming the Congress MLAs’ stand unconstitutional, he alleged that their challenge was not something that had relevance in Kerala.

Their statement amounted to a challenge to the right of Ministers and elected representatives to discharge their Constitutional obligations while retaining their political beliefs, Mr. Sudhakaran pointed out.

Mr. Sudhakaran said the two MLAs had not even cared to hear what he had to say in the matter.

Their intention was only to abuse him. Their “mean accusation” was intended only to appease communal fascists and those opposed to the Hindu religion and as such should be examined in detail in the light of the Constitution and precedents.

The Minister said he had gone to the temple in connection with the inauguration of a water supply scheme that worked on the principle of reverse osmosis.

He had observed all the decorum necessary at the temple.

Nobody had questioned his action, the Minister pointed out.

Mr. Sudhakaran said the people at large were appreciative of the efforts being made by him to improve the condition of temples and tone up the functioning of Devaswom Boards.

The comments made by the two MLAs have caused pain to the people of Kerala.

The MLAs must, therefore, withdraw their remarks and tender an apology to the people.

Otherwise, they would have to bear the bad reputation of being two legislators who questioned the Constitutional rights of a Minister, the Minister added.

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