Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan’s remarks on the late P.T. Chacko’s contribution in shaping the State’s development created a flutter at the 50 death anniversary function of the leader, organised by the Kerala Congress (M) here on Friday.
Mentioning the ‘incongruity of a diehard communist releasing a book on an anti-communist like P.T. Chacko,’ Mr. Achuthanandan said political trends had changed drastically in the past 50 years.
The son of the man who had set out to liquidate the communist movement was now part of the Left Democratic Front, Mr. Achuthanandan said.
“It seems that the younger leaders want to make amends for the mistakes committed by their forefathers,” Mr. Achuthanandan said.
He said Chacko was a confirmed anti-Marxist who led the ‘Liberation Struggle’ in the late 1950s against the land reforms movement and educational reforms introduced by the first communist ministry led by E.M.S. Namboodiripad.
The mantle of Congress leadership should have fallen on Chacko, but that was not to be, because of factionalism, which continued to dog the party even today. “This led to his quitting the Congress and forming the Kerala Congress,” Mr. Achuthanandan said.
Kerala Congress (M) leader and Finance Minister K.M. Mani, who presided, rebutted Mr. Achuthanandan’s statement that Chacko had led the movement against land reforms.
In fact, Chacko was responsible for introducing land reforms, he said. Chacko’s son P.C. Thomas had deserted those who had fought hard against the injustice shown to his father.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who inaugurated the function recalled Chacko’s contribution in piloting land reform laws.
