THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Kicking up another row surrounding the National Games, Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan stayed away from the inauguration of the mega event. He alleged that he was not officially invited for the function.
However, Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan clarified that Achuthanandan was invited for the function.
Already there was a controversy that Achuthanandan’s photograph was omitted from the advertisement on the inauguration of the National Games. Achuthanandan’s office said that no official invitation was given. V Sivankutty MLA, alleged that there was a deliberate attempt to keep the Opposition away from the inauguration. Following reports that VS may stay away from the inauguration, ThiruvanchoorRadhakrishnan contacted him over phone.
Howeve, Achuthanandan said that he would not attend the function, sources said.In the wake of the controversy, the Sports Minister clarified that the Opposition Leader was indeed invited for the function.
‘Couldn’t Reach VS’
In a statement issued here, Thiruvanchoor said that he had made many attempts to contact V S Achuthanandan over phone to invite him for the inauguration of the National Games. However, the latter was busy with party conferences in various districts.
Finally when called he was in a party meeting at Irinjalakkuda. Thiruvanchoor said that the invitation for the Opposition Leader and passes for his office staff were given to his office. He had also contacted Achuthanandan over phone and requested him to attend the inaugural function, the Minister said.