Seeking removal of Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanadan for his remark on the family of slain NSG commando Sandip Unnikrishnan, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said he would ask the CPM leadership to show the door to the communist veteran.

"It is a very serious issue. What the CM has said is absolutely wrong and a great insult to our martyr. I would demand from the CPM Politburo to remove him," Prasad told reporters in New Delhi.

Criticising the CM's remark, Prasad said, "We are also in politics and at times people do not behave properly with us while venting out their anger. But we are in public life and we have to understand the sentiment. The martyr's father was in the state of shock and this should have been understood by the chief minister."

Karat says sorry for 'dog' remark

Responding to Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan’s remarks on late NSG commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s family, CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat has clarified that the CM’s comments were regrettable. The CPM boss also added that he had spoken to Chief Minister Achuthanandan on the issue. TV channels reported.

Earlier Achuthanandan refused to apologise for his controversial remark against the family of the slain NSG commando after his unpleasant visit to the latter's house two days back.

On being asked by the media whether he would apologise for his remark, the Chief Minister said, "No, no" before leaving for Hyderabad.

COMRADE'S TRIBUTE: A DOG WON’T VISIT YOUR HOME

Express News Service

The Kerala Government hurt the sentiments of the family of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan by not sending its representative for the funeral of the Malayali NSG commando who died battling terrorists in Mumbai. Its Chief Minister today added insult to that injury when he said, “Even a dog would not have glanced at that house had it not been Sandeep’s residence.”

Sandeep’s father Unnikrishnan had snubbed Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan when they came to his house on Sunday after he repeatedly declined to see them. Sandeep’s father Unnikrishnan was upset that none of the Kerala ministers called or visited to offer condolence while their counterparts in Karnataka did.

So the commando’s father asked them to go back. “I have lost all respect for you, VS,” he said. Later, he clarified that the politicians arrived after he repeatedly said no and admitted that he “responded badly.”

Talking to Times Now, Achuthanandan said: “I have respect for Sandeep, his mother and father. If it had not been Sandeep’s residence, not even a dog would have glanced at the house,” he told the channel. “I did not expect such a reception.” There is widespread outrage among politicians of all shades over the Chief Minister’s comments. BJP state president P K Krishnadas said Achuthandanan has become a disgrace for the state. “VS inflicted wounds on that bereaved family. He should quit the post,” he said. “When People’s Democratic Party leader Abdul Nasser Madani was acquitted in the Coimbatore serial blast case, three ministers of the Left Government turned up for the reception in Thiruvanananthapuram. The CPM has proved that the party would honour anti-nationals and insult those who have sacrificed their lives for the nation.”

Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said Achuthanandan’s comment is aimed at killing the NSG hero again. “While the entire country is saluting Sandeep’s supreme sacrifice, his home state is insulting him,” he said. A CPI MP from Kerala, who preferred anonymity, said Achuthanandan’s comment on Sandeep’s family was unwarranted. “He has raked up a controversy unnecessarily. It has really embarrassed all of us,” he said.

Opposition leader Oommen Chandy said: “Every Keralite, every Indian, should take pride in his sacrifice. He had embraced death for the nation. Post-death, he should not have been drawn into an unnecessary controversy.”