Thaindian News

Alappuzha (Kerala), Jan 23 (IANS) In an unseemly incident, Kerala Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph and Congress Lok Sabha member Kodikunnil Suresh, in the presence of media persons and farmers’ leaders, Monday engaged in a war of words at a review meeting of the Kuttanad package.

The entire episode was aired by local TV channels.

Speaking to the media, Kuttanad legislator Thomas Chandy, who was also present, termed the incident “shameful”.

“The meeting was going on peacefully when someone asked if a new canal can be constructed in place of the present canal. The minister said that is a suggestion which can be considered. But Suresh said would this go the same way as the demand for a new Mullaperiyar dam. Then Joseph lost his cool and reminded Suresh that he should act like a responsible member of parliament,” he said.

At this, supporters of both started shouting slogans and the meeting ended in chaos, he added.

Joseph represents the Kerala Congress-Mani (KC-M), which is the third biggest constituent of the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front.

Communist Party of India-Marxist legislator C.K.Sadasivan, who was also in the meeting, also termed the incident a “shame”.

“Both these leaders belong to the same coalition and this public squabble could have been easily avoided had they shown the political maturity,” he said.

Joseph, who hails from Idukki district where the Mullaperiyar dam is situated, has been leading the campaign for a new dam.

The Congress unit, is however caught between their national leadership who have been guarded in their statements for a new dam because Tamil Nadu has been strongly opposed to it and the Kerala Congress (Mani) which is very strong in Idukki and Kottayam districts.