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Kerala CM Achuthanandan finally says 'sorry'

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Agencies

Posted: Dec 03, 2008 at 1540 hrs IST

Thiruvananthapuram Under flak for his comments on slain NSG commando Sandeep Unnikrishnan's family, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on Wednesday reversed his stand and expressed "deep sorrow and regret" over the pain caused to the officer's kins.

"I express deep sorrow and regret over the pain caused to Sandeep Unnikrishnan's family by certain remarks of me," the 85-year-old Marxist veteran told reporters here after the Congress-led UDF stalled the assembly proceedings, demanding an apology from him over his remarks.

Achuthanandan's remarks that "even a dog would not have glanced at that house had it not been (Major) Sandeep's residence," had caused uproar across the nation.

His clarification came shortly after he declined to tender an apology in the assembly, stating that his remarks were distorted by the media and exploited by the Congress and the BJP for political gains.

At the press meet, Achuthanandan claimed that he expressed regret on his remarks in the assembly itself but opposition sought to distort the issue by stalling the proceedings for political gains.

Achuthanandnan said he chose to convene the press meet to "clarify" his position. However, he declined to entertain questions from the mediapersons.

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Kerala CM Achuthanandan finally says 'sorry' by Madhu on 04 Dec 2008

Being a Keralite I feel sorry to the various methods employed by our Chief Minister's rival, including 'Media' to make him to step dowm by attacking him mentally. From watching TV, what I understood is he never made any wrong statement that insults Major's family. This fact was endorsed by Major's family itself yesterday. When madia talks on the need of moral political leaders supporting this attack on him is not good for Kerala as wellas India. By supporting his rivals, your are basically creating 'Naxalisum' to come back to soil of kerala. All most all the people of Kerala are aware of congress and his own party men's hiiden agenda to corner him. I'm not understanding why they are affraid of him.

Even a dog won't accept his fake sorry. by R Prasad on 03 Dec 2008

Even a dog won't accept his fake sorry. Stupid idiot Commie CM.

Pathetic remark by Lt Cdr CV Prakash Retd on 03 Dec 2008

Kerala CM's remark during the funeral of a state hero Maj Unnikrishnan reeks of shamelessness. Keralites havent ever seen a bomb fall during war thats why they have such scant disregard for the Indian Military. If there is one last vestige of Indian Pride it is India's Military. They are the ones who give their lives so that our spineless politicians can sleep in peace. Such disgraceful remarks shows the character of the leaders that we elect as our servants. The anger of the common man is understandable. we call Pakistan a failed state, but there cannot be a more failed state than India.

CM's belated apology by N.V.SANKARAN on 03 Dec 2008

The comments from Mr. Achuthanandan was not surprising. Interestingly, Mr. Achudanandan is not alone amongst the Kerala comrades in using uncivilized language against their adversaries. On an earlier occasion, he had the temerity to call the eminent scientist and former president, Dr. A.P.J Abdulkalam a "Vaanam viduvan maatram ariyunnayal" in the most derogatory manner, not due to any provocation from the esteemed Dr. Kalaam, but because he spoke in support of the nuclear deal, which was against the communists' stand. What else can you expect from an undereducated person who does not have the qualification needed for becoming even a peon in a government department? Whatever the reason, Mr. Unnikrishnan had very clearly indicated well in advance that he does not want the Kerala politicians to visit his house. If Mr. Achudanandan or Kodiyeri had any self-respect or respect for the positions they occupy, they should not have visited that house. Were they trying to prove that they did not have the standard of even a dog when the CM sneaked into Mr. Unnikrishnan’s house, which according to them, “not even a dog would have visited had it not been for Major Sandeep” by dodging him and using their power as the CM and the Home minister despite his strong protests? Why did they send sniffer dogd to Major Sadeep’s house? Did they suspect that the NSG officer’s house keeps bombs? You cannot demand respect from anybody, but you have to earn it through your actions. Mr. Unnikrishnan’s actions are pardonable considering that he was, at that time, an ordinary father grieving the death of his only son. And now his family has tendered their apology. But, a person occupying such respectable position of CM using such words is equal to denigrating the position he is occupying. Now that Mr. Achudanandan has offered an apology though belatedly, even if it under pressure, it would salvage the respect of the CM of the most literate state to some extent.

Kerala CM Achuthanandan finally says 'sorry' by Soman on 16 Dec 2008

If sniffer dogs were sent to Mr.Unnikrishnan's house it maynot have been braught by Kerala chief minister, but the Karnataka police

politicians deserve to be hated by vikram on 03 Dec 2008

Politicians should take note of it. I fully support Major Unnikrishnan's dad. He is not alone . The whole of India is with him. Political leaders have made a mockery of our system. It is absolutely non-functional. Even after such a ghastly incident in Mumbai, they are talking and talking and not taking any concrete steps to counter terrorism. Wake up you scum bags before we hound you in the streets.

CM's outburst by K J Nair on 03 Dec 2008

Ok now the chief Minister has apologized, one should look at the shabby way Shri Unnikrishnan reacted when CM came to his house to condole the death of his son. We can understand his sorrow, but it was unbecoming of a father to treat a 85 years old vetern political leader.

Why not ? by HB on 03 Dec 2008

Why not ? Shri Unnikrishnan reacted exactly the way it should be. It is his right whom would like to speak or not. These politicians are making fun of everybody's life. Who cares how old is he ? It sounds like this guy seriously need some mental help. At 85 he should take rest at home.

Sorry by Ratheesh on 03 Dec 2008

The Great communist leader has done it right now by his "Sorry". It is quite understandable that could be a slip of toungue out of anger by the CM as well as from Sandeep's father.Now it is the turn to say "Sorry" for Sandeep's father for making such comments to the CM of a state.

rubish by ajay on 03 Dec 2008

CM's argument about father of major unnikrishnan is like a mad dog to whom some people r going to kill now .These type of arguments not suits to any CM it suits to any crezzy dog

common people by shaukat on 03 Dec 2008

WHATS WRONG WITH THE POLITICIAL LEADERS OF INDIA. AT THE TIME OF ELECTION THESE ARE SAME PEOPLE WHO COME TO COMMON PEOPLE TO BEG FOR THE VOTE AND NOW ONCE THEY ARE IN SEAT THEY FORGET US........ THE TIME WILL COME SOON..... WHEN THE COMMON PEOPLE WILL COME IN THE STREET AND WILL SHOW THESE LEADER WHAT IS DEMOCRACY........

Media Politics by Anish on 03 Dec 2008

The big mistakes of Kerala CM -- 1) He visited the house of a soldier who dies for the country to offer his condolences with out knowing that his family are supporters of a political party other than his. 2) He fall prey to the media politics by answering about the comment made against him by Mr. Unnikrishnan "No dogs should enter my house" --- He should have avoided both.....

Sorry! by R.Balasundaram on 03 Dec 2008

The pressure built by the electronic media and others virtually forced the CM to say 'sorry'. No doubt his 'dog' remarks are condemnable; but what about the remarks/behaviour of the father of the deceased warrior? Is the age of the CM and his position immaterial?Let the media contemlate!

There is no comparison by Vidya on 03 Dec 2008

Mr. Unnikrishnan has lost his only son. He did not invite the Kerala CM to come. So why should he entertain any one, even if it is a politician, during this time of grief. As I understand, sniffer dogs were brought to Mr. Unnikrishnan's house to prepare for the CM's visit. That angered the grieving father and he said that he did not want politician's dogs in his house. What was wrong with that? If the CM thinks that his remarks that there is no point in even dogs visiting families of soldiers until they are killed in combat is correct, then why is he apologising now? His sympathy was fake and now his apology is also fake.

Re: Sorry by Jack on 03 Dec 2008

There should be a age limit for political office and this guy is a piece of crap

Height of anger by arunnsubramanian on 03 Dec 2008

Country pays homage to the brave soldier. Irrepairable loss to the family and to the nation. No word can console the bereaved family. Nothing is lost whether the Kerala government honour him or not. Whether it was done immediately or belatedly. But the bereaved family may not have turned down an elderly man, 85 years of old, when he visited the house which is in another state.

A chuth apology by Reddy on 03 Dec 2008

The "NUT" has apologized.But will it be accepted ?? I doubt it.He came to Sandeep's house only because there was pressure from the public and he promptly got kicked out from Unnikrishnan's house.Now he has apologised only because, again, the public threatened to kick his ass.DONT ACCEPT IT UNNI. YOU DONT HAVE TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS DOG.He might now get angry and call you a BITCH, because you did'nt accept his apology.Dont worry - we will take it with you. We are with you.

Marxists by Peter on 03 Dec 2008

That is the nature of marxists. They mean business without personal attachment.

Dog remarks to a Martyr by Col GP Singh on 03 Dec 2008

HE SHOULD RESIGN,IF HE DOESN'T THAN GOVERNOR SHOULD TELL HIM TO GO AND ADVISE PRESIDENT ACCORDINGLY.THIS WILL BE A LESSON TO ALL POLITICIANS BUTR IS OUR GOVERNOR OR FOR THAT MATTER STRONG ENOUGH TO DO THIS PART

Idiot Achuthanandan by Ram Narayanan on 03 Dec 2008

This insensitive bloody fool should be kicked out and put in prison for his stupid remarks.

WASTE TO DIE FOR SUCH A COUNTRY by TT01 on 03 Dec 2008

Must be worried about his votes and upcoming election. Else he showed his true colors.It is waste to die for such a country who does not even care about it own soldiers and had such illiterate politicians. Let the country be taken over by others so the most to loose will be these politicians.

Kerala CM Achuthanandan finally says 'sorry' by Syed Noor on 03 Dec 2008

Dear All,There is a way we can teach a lesson to our dirty and corrupt politicians.This is what one can do, in case one feels the candidates are not worth one's vote. Section 49(0) of the Representation of People's Act. There is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!Yes, such a feature is available, but obviously our seemingly intellectual leaders have never disclosed it.The electronic voting machines do not accommodate such votes.However, under Section 49(0) of the Representation of People's Act, the vote can be registered by telling the electoral officer to register it separately. This is how it works: 'if a candidate wins, say by 123 and that particular ward has received 'negative votes' (49(0)) more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled.

no such provision by Harshal on 03 Dec 2008

^^^This is untrue. Please read today's DNA.

Unfortunate incident by Suresh Kumar on 03 Dec 2008

VS is the least corrupt CM ,Kerala has in many years and he had done good things for the common man but the usage of word " Dog" was unfortunate, meanwhile the nobody seems to bother the filthy language used by Sandeeps's father during the CM's visit to his house, atleast he should have given some consideration for the CM's age

Kerela CM says'sorry" by Ashis on 03 Dec 2008

The memory of the cute Major belongs not only to his family, but also to the nation. The politician in question should apolozise for his behaviour and comments not only to the Major's bereaved family, but also to the nation. And to prove that he is really sorry, he should step aside from his gubernatorial post. But, Alas! A Communist has no shame, no pity. Look at the behaviour of the band of communist politicians after the rape and killing a of ateen age girl in West Bengal. A communist expresses his regret only as a tactric. Once upon a time they depicted Subhash Chandra Bose as a pet dog of General Tojo. Remember what a veteran communist Dr. Ashok Mitra said, "I am not a gentlemen, I am a communist."

dogs by prafull on 03 Dec 2008

By agreeing to say sorry after initially refusing to do the same,he has proven himself as a selfish person who knew he had stirred a hornets nest.He should now apologize to the dogs too.

Media going wrong by Vinu V on 03 Dec 2008

The media, over hyped the reaction by V. S. The way media work nowadays will always keep the important issues away from the public. They are competing each other to get viewers and readers. The politician who did not provide bulletproof jackets and communication devices to the commandos and providing cheap quality arms are considered as very good and respecting the Brave Javan. They are the real killer of all the brave who gave their life to protecting those cowards. But media says V. S. killed Major Sandeep again. Media, try to find who killed Major Sandeep, we still have some hope.

QUIT MAARXIST QUIT INDIA by Ravi on 03 Dec 2008

Who wants sorry of this Maarxist? Let him keep it in his pocket anf quit the offce. This man until yesterday was unwilling to say this single word and now he wants to hang to the chair ? These Maarxists gives lengthy advices to others when they themselves are big zeroes in practice. Maarxist sab QUIT THE OFFICE IF YOU HAVE ANY CONSCIENCE OR SELF RESPECT AS HUMAN BEING.

THE UTTERANCE OF THE WORD "DOG" by William D'Souza on 03 Dec 2008

If CM used the word " DOG" then he should be expelled not only as CM but also from responsive Party. If not, he should be pardoned since he said sorry.

faux pas by I M Par on 03 Dec 2008

Some specific style of 'expressions' or 'usages' of some language may come out totally 'out of character' in another when 'literally' translated.

...Really... by Monty on 04 Dec 2008

..really, my dear Sir... if so many years "in the service of this Nation" didn't teach the 'veteran' when to shut his mouth, den he ought to have a diaper put on him... on his MOUTH to be precise... if we claim he is such a 'revered veteran', then he should've gracefully accepted the grieving man's outburst, and gone home after making a short speech which said that "he's sorry that his genuine intentions were questioned, but his party-men

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