THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC president M. M. Hassan, who has a penchant for hunger strikes, will stage one on Independence Day against the increasing atrocities against dalits, backward classes and minorities. Several leaders, including Mr A.K. Antony, had tried to dissuade him from undertaking it on that day, but he has stuck to his decision. Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala will inaugurate the 24-hour fast at Indira Bhavan after Mr Hassan hoists the national flag.
Former chief minister Oommen Chandy will mark the end of the fast by giving him lime juice the next day.
His protest is for a genuine cause, according to KPCC general secretary Thampanoor Ravi but a section of leaders has questioned the relevance of the fast on Independence Day as the Congress had struggled for the country’s freedom from the British. The CPM and the BJP which did not play any role in the struggle will celebrate the day, said a Congress MLA.
The Revive Congress movement led by former Youth Congress leaders had on Tuesday urged the political affairs committee to persuade Mr Hassan to reconsider his decision.
HALCOYN CASTLE: Former KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran will launch a convention on Wednesday next against the LDF Government’s decision to hand over the Halcoyn castle to the RP group. This is against the stand taken by Mr M. M. Hassan and Mr Ramesh Chennithala.
Leaders like Mr V. D. Satheesan, MLA, Mr Benny Behanan, former MLA, and Alappuzha DCC president M. Liju had criticized the Congress leadership at the PAC meeting on Tuesday for keeping mum on the Halcyon castle issue. Also, the Revive Congress movement had shot off a letter to the KPCC demanding action against the government’s decision.
Mr Hassan told reporters on Wednesday that the Left Government should take immediate steps to get back the castle. Mr Sudheeran who is expected back from the US in a day or two has the support of Thiruvananthapuram DCC and its president Neyyatinakara Sanal for the protest convention.
“While Chennithala wants the order issued to the RP group to be cancelled, Hassan is against the protests,” said a Congress leader.
Mr Hassan said that during the previous UDF government’s tenure, LDF had asked the government to get back the castle. He urged LDF government to take up the case legally.
