Won't apologize to Prathapan: P.C. George

KOTTAYAM: Government Chief Whip P.C. George on Tuesday said he will not apologize to T.N. Prathapan MLA for the controversial casteist remarks. But he said he would rather apologize to Dheevara community. He apologized to the community for the unintentional hurt, if any, caused to the community for certain remarks by him.

Earlier, Minister K.M. Mani had said that if any of George’s words against Prathapan went wrong, he (George) would apologize.

The open verbal spat between George and Prathapan took place after the latter wrote to the Chief Minister seeking steps to protect the state's interest in cases connected with the takeover of estates whose lease period had expired in Nelliyampathi in Palakkad district.

There were allegations that George was in favour of handing over the estates to its present owners arguing that they were farmers cultivating in the land for a long period.

Congress legislators, who have come out against George, were of the opinion that the estates were in forest area and it should be conserved and protected by taking them over from private owners after the lease period had expired.

In an open letter to George, Prathapan had said he would intervene wherever the 'greedy eye' of people like George falls. The intervention would not be restricted to lease cases of estates alone, he said.

Denying the allegation, George had stated that his words were distorted and said he has the right to speak on behalf of farmers.

He had said last Wednesday, “Being a member of Dheevara Hindu fishermen community, Prathapan should concentrate attention on the problems of fishermen and leave farmers’ issues to the farming community.”