Kerala CM Achuthanandan finally says ‘sorry’

Kerala CM expressed 'deep regret' over the pain caused to slain NSG commando Unnikrishnan's family by his remarks.

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.

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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.