Kerala minister courts trouble over anti-Constitution remarks, expresses regret

Kerala Minister Saji Cheriyan has expressed regret over his remarks on Constitution that sparked controversy.

Kerala Minister Saji Cheriyan on Tuesday landed in trouble for his harsh remarks against the Constitution, triggering a huge political row in the state with the Opposition demanding his sacking, but the Left leader later expressed regret and claimed news reports in this connection were 'distorted.'

Opposition Congress described the remarks by Cheriyan as 'obnoxious', while the BJP said he cannot hold an office enabled by the Constitution. He has disrespected and lashed out at the CPI(M) over the controversy.

Clarifying, Cheriyan said he is a public servant upholding the noble constitutional values, hours after his speech at an event was aired by local television channels, triggering a backlash. The opposition sought his expulsion from the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet over the controversy, but the ruling CPI(M) rejected the demand.

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In the visuals aired by the local TV channels, the minister could be seen saying in a recent event that the Constitution of the country "condones exploitation" and is written in a way helping to "plunder" the people of the country, drawing sharp reaction from the opposition parties which sought for his immediate removal from the LDF cabinet.

The central leadership of the ruling CPI(M), however, rejected the demand for resignation of the minister who holds the fisheries and cultural affairs portfolios, terming it as just a "slip of tongue".

In a statement given in the state Assembly in the afternoon, Cheriyan said news reports claiming he had criticised the Constitution at an event held at Mallappally in Pathanamthitta district were "distorted".