Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Assembly Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan on Friday apologised to Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil for accusing him of “telling lies” during a debate on rising essential commodity prices. Satheesan said his remark was made “due to sudden provocation” and was flagged as unparliamentary by JD(S) MLA Mathew T Thomas.

He informed the Speaker that he was withdrawing the comment and requested it be removed from the House records. “I apologise to the minister and the House. It was a mistake on my part,” he said. Speaker A N Shamseer appreciated Satheesan’s apology, noting that correcting one’s words should not be seen as a defeat.

Satheesan explained his outburst was linked to the minister’s claim that he praised the government at a recent Onam market in Paravoor. He clarified that he only spoke briefly about the importance of SupplyCo and did not praise the government. With 24 years in the Assembly, Satheesan said this was the first time he voluntarily sought to remove his words to set a proper example for future legislators.