Oommen Chandy refutes Opposition allegation

Kozhikode, Feb 3: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday refuted the allegation by opposition that the government had shown "disrespect" to former Kerala Governor M O H Farook, who died in Chennai on January 26.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, Chandy alleged that it was the opposition which had shown disrespect to the late Governor. If the leader of opposition in the assembly V S Achuthanandan was unable to attend the burial ceremony of Farook, at least anyone from the opposition parties could have attended, he said.

The opposition was making allegation only to hide their mistake, he said. The government had announced a seven-day mourning on the day of Farook's demise, he said. Achuthanandan had recently alleged that the Government had shown disrespect to the late Governor and demanded the Chief Minister to tender an appology.

Meanwhile Minister for Culture K C Joseph said Achuthanandan was making the allegation as he does not have any other subject to discuss. He said the government had shown great respect to the late Governor. Chandy and four other ministers inclding himself, Dr M K Muneer, V K Ibrahim Kunju, Adoor Prakash, Speaker G Karthikeyan and DGP Jacob Punnoose had attended the burial ceremony, he said.

PTI