Major Unnikrishnan's father refuses to meet Kerala CM

Dec 01, 2008 BANGALORE: The anger against the political class in wake of the Mumbai terror attack boiled over with slain NSG commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's father literally shooing away Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan on Sunday. 

Following widespread criticism of the Kerala Government’s failure to officially acknowledge the supreme sacrifice made by Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Achuthanandan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan visited Major Sandeep’s residence in Bangalore on Sunday. The two, who had flown in from Delhi, arrived at Sandeep’s residence around 8.15 pm.Aggrieved by the loss of his only son, Major Sandeep’s father K Unnikirishnan did not wish for any undue publicity."He died for the country,” he said.

The CM, who had been criticized for his delay in offering condolences to the bereaved family, who hail from Kerala, tried to make up by calling on the Unnikrishnans. But he failed to anticipate the rejection he would meet at the residence of the fallen soldier. The dead commando's father did not tolerate the CM's presence and shouted at him to leave at once.

Opposition parties in Kerala have accused the state government of having shown disrespect to the Kerala-born soldier, who lost his life while combating terrorists in Mumbai, by not sending any minister to his funeral, attended by a large number of people, including Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa, here on Saturday. 

Achuthanandan, accompanied by home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, had rushed to the city on Sunday evening. 

As Sandeep's father remained firm that no politician should enter his house and refused to meet the leaders from his own state, police persuaded Dhanalakshmi, the slain commando's mother, to talk to the guests. 

Amid continued protests from the father, Balakrishnan gave words of comfort to Dhanalakshmi and Achuthanandan followed him. Unnikrishnan reportedly said he would commit suicide if any politician entered his house. 

He had told his friends that his son, whose valour was witnessed by the entire country, did not belong to Kerala alone but to the entire nation. 

Unnikrishnan refused to allow police sniffer dogs into the house when security personnel came there ahead of the Kerala CM's visit to perform their duties. 

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Achuthanandan in Thiruvananthapuram said the political secretary of the CM had attended the funeral. 
 
 

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