V D Satheeshan, the mercurial Leader of Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly, suffered a set back on Sunday as the RSS released a picture of the former attending a meeting convened by the Sangh at Thrissur in 2006. The picture featured Satheeshan lighting the traditional lamp in the backdrop of a portrait of M S Golwalkar, former RSS chief.
Of late, Satheeshan has been issuing statements after statements comparing the controversial speech made by Saji Cherian last Sunday at a CPI-M party function in which the latter came down heavily on Indian Constitution and termed it a big hoax committed on the people of India. Within three days Cherian had to quit as Minister of Fisheries and Culture following State-wide agitation by the BJP and the Congress.
Satheeshan termed Cherian’s speech as an echo of the views of RSS leader Golwalkar. Upset over the charge, the RSS leadership in Kerala issued a statement condemning Satheeshan’s charge and asked him to furnish reasons and the logic behind such comparison. “I reject the notice with contempt,” was Satheeshan’s response to the charge made by the Sangh leaders.
This could be the reason behind the Sangh’s action of releasing the picture through the social media which has stirred a hornet’s nest in Kerala’s political landscape. “It is unfortunate. Had I been in his place, I would not have attended the meeting,” Ramesh Chennithala, senior Congress leader who is upset with the party High Command for denying him the coveted position of the Leader of Opposition after the 2021 assembly election.
Things took a turn for the worse when R V Babu, Hindu Aikya Vedi leader came out on Sunday with the charge that Satheeshan had approached the RSS for help during the 2001 and 2006 assembly elections. “I do not want to disclose what was the outcome of those meetings. Let us keep it for another day,” said Babu.
This is being seen as a setback for the Congress leader who has been quite vocal in his attacks on RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Satheeshan was not available for comments till the time of going to Press.