THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC president V M Sudheeran’s penchant to raise his public image graph on the liquor issue and viewing anyone who opposed his stand on various issues as his foes has landed him in trouble once again. Gokulam Gopalan, chit business tycoon and hotelier, against whom Sudheeran had shelled insults as a ‘liquor trader’ at a function organised in connection with the anniversary of the idol installation at Aruvippuram by Sree Narayana Guru recently, has come out with a pungent open letter, asking Sudheeran to quit the KPCC presidentship, since he is presiding over a party which heads the UDF government, engaged in the sale of liquor.
Those who were under a notion that Sudheeran had withdrawn into a shell with a mauled face after the devastating setback on the bar issue were taken aback when he openly stated last Sunday during the idol installation anniversary, that he would not have attended the function had he been told by the organisers that those connected with ‘liquor business’ were among the invitees. He was referring to the presence of Gokulam Gopalan on the dais. Sudheeran had also a word of advice to the monks that they should be careful in this regard in future.
Political circles were quite aware that Sudheeran would not tolerate any criticism as he is keen to be always ‘Mr Right,’ and though it didn’t cut ice with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy or other heavyweights in the Congress, the poor monks on the dais were left grimfaced by his remarks.
After a couple of days, Gokulam Gopalan stripped Sudheeran in the open letter and said that he and the Kerala society fully agreed with the idea of total prohibition championed by the latter. ‘’The adamant stand of the KPCC president on the liquor policy is commendable and proof of his strong idealism. I am not a bar baron but one primarily engaged in the chit business. The criticism of Sudheeran against me and the comments he made on his reservations to accept ‘Guru Darsan’ award does not deserve even a reply. But Sudheeran should make an introspection whether it is proper to head a party leading the government which could not even prevent the reopening of closed bars either legally or policy wise. ‘’Are you ready to throw away the presidentship of the party which is leading the government involved in liquor trading?’’ Gopalan asked.
‘’You are a leader known across the country for your valiant ideals. Not only the fold of Sree Narayana organisations, but the entire state dreams of a liquor-free Kerala. I shall also be in the forefront to achieve it. My request is that people like you should become role models by creating awareness on total prohibition and remain aloof from those associated with liquor trade or its income,’’ he continued in a sarcastic tone, but elegant words. ‘’You should value the goal of prohibition above any position,’’ Gopalan urged Sudheeran.
Gopalan asked whether the KPCC chief can commit that he will not participate in any public functions of the government, for which the state exchequer comprising income from liquor sales is being utilised. ‘’Or will the KPCC president boycott functions attended by the state Excise Minister?’ Didn’t liquor barons contribute to KPCC fund? he asked.
‘Advise Relatives’
Rajkumar Unni, president of the Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association asked Sudheeran to advise his close relatives involved in the liquor business for long to to close their vends first before sermonising to Gokulam Gopalan and others. He also charged that Sudheeran was using a vehicle owned by a liquor baron for almost two decades.
Sudheeran Silent
While Sudheeran remained silent on Gopalan’s letter, he said that the criticism against him by the Bar Owners Association president will be judged by the people.