Thiruvananthapuram: KPCC president M. M. Hassan on Sunday said he stood by his previous day's statement that forcing K. Karunakaran to step down as chief minister was wrong and A. K. Antony was reluctant to replace him. Mr Hassan's "revelation" in Kozhikode much to the chagrin of his "A" group appeared deliberate as he reiterated it on his arrival here. “There is no need to give unnecessary interpretations to my statement," he told the waiting reporters at the railway station.
"There is no need to discuss whether there was pressure in the group. I expressed my feeling.” A section of Congress leaders is perplexed with the way in which he became remorseful after all these years, not apologising when “the leader” was alive. They feel it as a ploy to continue in office with the support of Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and his ‘I’ group. Along with Oommen Chandy, he was at the forefront of the oust Karunakaran campaign which also received the support of the coalition partners.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. He should have long ago apologised to Karunakaran. After the solar commission report, there's a sympathy wave in favour of Mr Chandy,” said a senior party leader. At the same time, a source close to K. Muraleedharan MLA, Karunakaran’s heir, told DC that he feels that it is a calculated move to please Mr Antony. But like everyone, Mr Muraleedharan has also been caught off guard as it is confusing how Mr Hassan could ditch Mr Chandy overnight. Former Alappuzha MLA and Karunakaran loyalist D. Sugathan wondered why Mr Hassan was trying to whitewash Mr Antony, who was equally responsible.
