Kochi Metro: BJP chief trolled for unsolicited presence
Anything and everything can kick up a political controversy in Kerala. This time the unsolicited presence of BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan alongside PM Narendra Modi during Kochi Metro's inaugural trip has kicked up a storm. The BJP state president’s name was not included in the list submitted to the Special Protection Group (SPG) which scrutinizes the security of Prime Minister. Many took to the social media pointing out that it is a protocol breach. The fact that Kummanam hitched this ride at a time when even the leader of the opposition was not allowed has added to the controversy. Interestingly enough, the CMO issued a photo, along with the press release, cropping Kummanam out. Social media was quick to troll Kummanam for his unsolicited presence. The Metro inaugural function was mired in controversy from the beginning. The PMO had deleted 'Metro man' E. Sreedharan's name from the list of invitees who were to share the dais with the PM. Sreedharan’s name was included after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote a letter to the PMO. It is another story that Sreedharan hogged all the limelight. The audience were heard clapping non-stop whenever his name was announced. As one comment in the social media said: "If there is anyone who is capable of overshadowing PM Narendra Modi in public applause, then it is Metro Man E Sreedharan." Interestingly, Sreedharan overshadowed PM at a time when the former’s name is being rumoured in connection with the upcoming presidential election. "Experiencing Sreedharan’s popularity, Modi himself would see to it that Sreedharan is nowhere in the presidential race if ever he had any," said another post.
Kerala burns in monsoon fever
Monsoon rains and fever always visit Kerala hand in hand and this year is no different. From dengue to chicken guinea to leptospirosis, the state has every variety of fever at present and hospitals across the state are crowded with patients. According to the figures, 17,789 people were affected with viral fever across the state on Friday and there have been 47 deaths due to dengue and other fevers this month alone. The death toll has been rising each passing day and the opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has urged the government to declare a health emergency in the state.
Twist in the bobitisation incident
She had won kudos even from the CM for cutting off the penis of a swami who had been allegedly molesting her since teenage. But now, the girl, a law student, has retracted her claim and said she did not attack him. She purportedly made a statement that was produced in court by the counsel of the accused Swami Gangesanantha Teerthapadar while requesting bail for the swami. The swami was attacked on May 20 when he went to the woman’s house. The advocate submitted the victim’s statement in court on Thursday. The woman said she was instigated by one Ayyappadas with whom she was having "an affair". "Swamiji loved and cared for me like his kid and I, too, loved him back. He had motivated me to join the LLB course and helped me throughout. The allegation that the swami had sexually harassed me is false. He did not rape me when I was a minor nor even after I turned an adult,” said her statement. After the new twist, all those who supported her, including the CM, have turned mute.
Convenient silence
When former CM V.S. Achuthanandan released the autobiography of Siby Mathews, former Director General of Police, he said the ISO case is still a mystery. He also said many lost their future in the high decibel case which involved top notch scientists in ISRO and Maldivian women. But what V.S. left unsaid was about the fall of former Congress CM K. Karunakaran. Karunakaran had to resign from the post of CM as IG Raman Sreevastava, his Man Friday, was dragged into the case. V.S., the then leader of opposition, had led the high voltage political campaign which forced Karunakaran to resign.
BJP office has a room for 'future CM'
Call it the height of ambition. The BJP may have just opened its single account in Kerala after much struggle, but it is already dreaming big. The party, which is building a new head office in Thiruvananthapuram, has earmarked a room for its future CM. The CM's room is adjacent to the party president's room. BJP President Amit Shah, who had visited the capital to take stock of party's activities here, had given an ultimatum to the party workers that they should do everything possible to come to power in the assembly elections. It was he who had laid the foundation stone for the new headquarters last week. The party workers seem to have taken his order quite literally. When asked for a comment, BJP leader Surendran said: it is "futuristic thinking''.
