Govt refuses to accept Mukundan's resignation

Kozhikode, Nov 14 (UNI) The State Government today refused to accept the resignation of noted writer M Mukundan as President of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and asked him to continue in the post.

Confirming his resignation from the post, Mr Mukundan told UNI over phone from his residence in Mahe that Education and Cultural Affairs Minister M A Baby had requested him to continue as Akademi President.

However, he said he would take a final decision on the issue only later.

Mr Mukundan had put in his papers apparently due to slight reprimand earlier in the day by CPI(M) State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan on the former's remarks describing Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan as an ''antiquated saint'' and the latter a ''relevant leader.'' Addressing a press meet at Thalassery, Mr Vijayan said that Mr Mukundan should not have attempted to compare him with the Chief Minister.

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