Cong leaders withdraws defamation suit against Achuthanandan

Congress woman wing leader Lathika Subhash,who unsuccessfully contested the last assembly poll against CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan in Malampuzha.

Congress woman wing leader Lathika Subhash,who unsuccessfully contested the last assembly poll against CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan in Malampuzha,on Saturday withdrew the defamation case she filed against the senior leader for “unsavoury” comments made against her by him.

Subhash told reporters that she withdrew the case filed in a local court here considering Achuthanandan’s age and also his clarification after his remarks triggered widespread protests.

While replying to a query at a press meet here in the April 2011 assembly poll campaign,Achuthanandan said his opponent was “famous”,adding “you know in what way she is famous.”

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Lathika and the Congress leaders took strong objection to the Marxist leader’s remark,saying it was a nuanced comment fraught with ill-meaning and an insult on his immediate electoral rival.

Lathika had then approached the Election Commission and the court,alleging Achuthanandan’s comment amounted to “character assassination.”

Achuthanandan,however,clarified that he did not mean any ill-meaning and what he actually intended to convey was his opponent was a known figure as she held important positions in the Congress party.

Achuthanandan scored a hattrick win in the elections from the Left bastion Malampuzha.