Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 21 (NationPress) - On Wednesday, Kerala's Fisheries and Culture Minister Saji Cherian retracted his earlier controversial statements and conveyed his unconditional regret. He explained that his comments had been misrepresented as being targeted against a specific community, causing pain and confusion.

On Sunday, Cherian remarked: “Examine the list of winners in the Kasaragod municipality and the Malappuram district panchayat. There arises a scenario where a person cannot secure victory in a locality where their community lacks a majority. The IUML triumphs in Muslim regions, while the BJP dominates Hindu areas. In contrast, the CPI(M), which advocates for secularism, faces defeats.”

In a comprehensive press release issued on Wednesday, Cherian expressed that the fallout from his remarks had caused him significant distress, as it directly challenged the secular principles he claimed to uphold throughout his career in public service. He stated that efforts to depict him as communal were entirely contradictory to his beliefs and political actions.

“The inaccurate narratives being circulated are damaging to the secular stance I have adhered to and championed throughout my life,” Cherian stated.

Reflecting on his extensive political journey, the CPI(M) leader affirmed that he had consistently opposed assaults on minority communities nationwide, emphasizing that his 42 years in public service had never aligned with any sectarian ideology. He reiterated that his public endeavors have been driven by the principle of treating all individuals equally, without bias based on caste or religion.

Nonetheless, he recognized that the controversy had affected many, including individuals, spiritual organizations, and respected spiritual leaders. Cherian stated that he never intended to cause harm and thus announced the retraction of his statement while expressing his unconditional regret.

However, the Opposition dismissed his apology and intensified their criticism of the minister. P.C. Vishnunath, the State Congress vice-president and MLA, highlighted Cherian's history of making such remarks, recalling a previous incident that resulted in his loss of ministerial position over a controversial statement regarding the Constitution.

“This apology is meaningless. He has once again violated his oath and merely expressed the CPI(M)’s perspectives. Such remarks are perilous and could incite unrest,” Vishnunath remarked.

Cherian’s apology emerges at a politically sensitive moment, with the final session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly currently in progress. The Congress-led Opposition is anticipated to address this matter in the House on Thursday, applying pressure on the ruling coalition and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.