The presence of Irinjalakuda MLA K.U. Arunan at a function organised by the RSS at Oorakam is snowballing into a major controversy.
Party workers have intensified their protest against the MLA’s act. CPI(M) district secretary K. Radhakrishnan had sought an explanation from the MLA.
According to the MLA, he came to know that the programme was organised by the RSS only when he reached the venue.
“I was invited by the temple committee for a function to honour meritorious students. No RSS person contacted me. If I knew earlier that it was an RSS function, I would not have attended it. I saw the RSS banner on the stage only when I reached there. I attended the function as I thought it would not be decent to boycott a function once I reached the venue,” the MLA said.
He expressed deep concern in causing a controversy.
The party had sought explanation from the party lower rung too. Action would be taken only after discussing the issue at the district secretariat, Mr. Radhakrishnan said.
The MLA had inaugurated the function organised by the RSS to distribute free note books and honour students who scored high marks. The function was organised in memory of RSS Seva Pramukh P.S. Shine. It was the first time that a CPI(M) MLA was invited to inaugurate the programme. A banner with photographs of RSS founder leaders were exhibited on the stage.
The RSS function had stirred up a hornet’s nest in the Congress too. A local Congress leader Thomas Thathampilly had presided over the function. The DCC had sought explanation from him. Mr. Thathappilly said he attended the programme as it was happening in his ward.
Meanwhile, the RSS said they were not for a controversy in the name of a function organised in memory of a worker. Mr. Arunan was invited as a local MLA, the RSS said.
