Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 15 Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday said BJP leader and party councillor R Sreelekha appeared to have “some serious problems”.
He said this following her remarks against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and her criticism of the anti-narcotics drive, “Operation Toofan”.
Chennithala was responding to Sreelekha’s recent remarks at a party event in Punalur, where she slammed Gandhi’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and likened his actions to the frenzy of someone under the influence of drugs.
Sreelekha, a former DGP, had also questioned the genuineness of Operation Toofan.
“When people who held such high positions retire, what happens to them. Let them protect their political interests. But shouldn’t they also think about their positions,” Chennithala told reporters here.
He said the public will notice any irregularities in Operation Toofan, an anti-narcotics drive launched by the Congress-led UDF government.
Chennithala accused Sreelekha of insulting Rahul Gandhi over her remarks.
“She was criticising and insulting Rahul Gandhi. What has happened to her. One time she submits her resignation; another time she withdraws it. It makes it completely clear that she has some serious problems,” he said.
Chennithala demanded that Sreelekha withdraw her remarks against Gandhi and apologise.
“He is the eminent leader of the Congress, the Leader of the Opposition, whom the people of India love and adore. She must withdraw the words spoken against him and apologise,” he said.
Asked about a complaint filed against Sreelekha over her remarks against Gandhi, Chennithala said legal action would follow.
Sreelekha, the first woman IPS officer in Keralam, retired as DGP before joining the BJP.
She is currently the councillor representing the Sasthamangalam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Meanwhile, UDF parliamentary party leader in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, KS Sabarinadhan, has filed a complaint with the Thiruvananthapuram Police Commissioner against Sreelekha over her remarks about Rahul Gandhi.
In his complaint, Sabarinadhan alleged that Sreelekha personally insulted Gandhi and hurt religious sentiments by describing the Hindu religious dance form ‘Thandava’ as a frenzy caused by the consumption of drugs.
Higher Education Minister Roji M John also criticised Sreelekha over her remarks against Rahul Gandhi.
“Spreading uncultured hatred to please the Sangh Parivar leadership and attract some media attention will only make her a laughing stock,” he said.
John criticised Sreelekha for describing Gandhi’s protests in defence of democracy and constitutional values as a “thandava under the influence of drugs”.
“How can Narendra Modi’s self-proclaimed blind devotee link Lord Shiva’s thandava with the frenzy caused by drugs,” he asked.
He alleged that Sreelekha was distorting Hindu beliefs and devotion for political gains and insulting religious sentiments by equating sacred spiritual concepts with drug intoxication.
John also took a dig at Sreelekha over her decision to resign as a councillor, claiming it was part of her desire to become the Thiruvananthapuram Mayor.
Sreelekha had submitted a letter to Mayor V V Rajesh expressing her intention to resign as a councillor, but later withdrew it.
“Sreelekha madam, who entered public life with the sole ambition of enjoying the glamour of the mayor’s position after retirement, is not qualified to grade Rahul Gandhi,” he said in the post.
(PTI News)
