SFI to approach CPI(M) Politburo against Kerala CM's remark

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 2 (UNI) Faced with an embarrassing situation after Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan sharply criticised him for allegedly making some adverse remarks against media, Students Federation of India (SFI) Kerala unit secretary M Swaraj today said he will bring the issue before the notice of the CPI(M) Politburo.

The SFI leader expressed ''surprise and regret'' over the remarks at a hurriedly convened press conference a couple of hours after the Chief Minister criticised him for the remarks and also the organisation for the violent agtiation against self-financing professional colleges.

''I came to know about such remarks from a respectable leader like Achuthanandan from the visual media. His remarks surprised me.

I will certainly bring this issue before the notice of the Politburo,'' he said.

The wordy duel broke out after the SFI leader allegedly made certain abusive language against the mediamen. When the issue was brought to his notice, the Chief Minister said that such remarks were in bad taste. Knowingly or unknowingly, Mr Achuthanandan's further comments on the issue were a tit for tat for the SFI leader.

Adding to the woes of the SFI leader, several channels telecast live the press conference of the Chief Minister.

He was also harsh on the SFI for its recent acts of violence against self-financing professional colleges, saying that it was untimely. The SFI should have shown restraint as its agitation had only helped the managements to consolidate themselves against the recently enacted legislation.

The Kerala Union of Working Journalists also strongly condemned the alleged remarks of the SFI leader and sought an apology from him.

Later, Mr Swaraj clarified that he had not made any general remark against mediapersons, but what he meant by saying ''fatherless'' was the unhealthy practice in journalism.

UNI CR1736