Piravom (Kerala): Defence Minister A K Antony today described as unfortunate the `unsavoury` remarks of Opposition leader V S Achutanandan against former CPI(M) leader Sindhu Joy.
"I never expected a leader of Achuthanandan`s stature to use such words. It is unfortunate. Being a former Chief Minister and one of the senior-most political leaders in Kerala, he should use words carefully", Antony said.
Antony was addressing a UDF meeting at Mullanthurthy in Pirvaom, where a bypoll is scheduled on March 17. Achuthanandan`s remark on Sunday last had evoked sharp reactions from various leaders cutting across the political spectrum.
The veteran CPI(M) leader had later tried to make amends by issuing a clarification saying his words had been misinterpreted.
Earlier addressing a meeting Sindhu Joy, who had quit the party on the eve of the assembly polls last year and joined Congress, demanded that Achuthanandan be removed as Opposition leader in the assembly for his remarks, which she said amounted to an attack on all women in Kerala. The woman activist alleged the CPI(M) had used her as a `bay leaf` and discarded her. The language used by a leader of Achutanandan`s stature is unbecoming of a person of his stature and is an "insult to all women", she averred.
Socialist Janata Democratic leader M P Veerendra Kumar said he respected Achutanandan but he should have refrained from using such language against a woman act ivist and tender an apology to her on realising his mistake.
Kerala Finance minister K M Mani asserted Achuthanandan had insulted all women and urged the women of Piravom to give a fitting reply to the LDF on March 17.
KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala demanded that Achuthanandan withdraw his remarks and apologise to Sindhu Joy. "Otherwise it is an insult to all women," she said.
PTI