'Pinarayi would have answered the phone by a single call’; NSS chief Sukumaran Nair lashes out at CM V D Satheesan

KOTTAYAM: NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair has reiterated his claim that he was denied an appointment with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. His remarks came shortly after the Chief Minister said at a press conference that he had personally spoken to the NSS chief over the phone.

Responding to the Chief Minister's statement, Sukumaran Nair said he had tried to contact him twice but received a return call only after six days.

"If the Chief Minister was busy with the Budget and could not meet me, that should have been conveyed on the same day. There is no point in offering an explanation now," he said.

"I did not seek permission to meet Satheesan. I sought permission to meet the state's Chief Minister. I am a voter. However, I wasn't even given the consideration that should be shown to the leader of a prominent community. I have never gone to anyone with a begging bowl," he added.

Sukumaran Nair said he had wanted to meet the Chief Minister to discuss a particular file. However, he said the matter had since passed and that he no longer wished to meet anyone. He also said he had never faced such an experience with previous Chief Ministers.

"If I called Pinarayi Vijayan once, he would answer the phone. If he was busy, he would always call back," he said.

The NSS chief also took a swipe at Union Minister Suresh Gopi, alleging that the actor-turned-politician had visited the NSS headquarters during the Aruvikkara by-election with political motives.

"Suresh Gopi wanted to create the impression that he had close ties with the NSS. Then he came on Budget day to offer floral tributes, and that was allowed. Before talking about cleansing Perunna, Suresh Gopi should first cleanse the actors' association, AMMA," Sukumaran Nair said.