Suspended Kerala Congress leader sticks to remarks against Rahul Gandhi

Rahul GandhiKochi: Unremorseful over his controversial 'joker' remarks against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi despite his suspension, former Kerala Minister TH Mustafa on Tuesday said he had not committed anything wrong.

Mustafa, suspended from the party for his May 28 remarks, told reporters here that he had not called Gandhi a 'Joker', but only said he was 'acting like a joker' and "there is nothing wrong in saying so."

His remarks (in the backdrop of Congress' debacle in Lok Sabha polls) had triggered a debate in the party with several others also airing their views against Gandhi, Mustafa said.

On his suspension, Mustafa, a Minister in the K Karunakaran cabinet in the 1990s, said he had not been informed by the party about his suspension and had come to know about it through media reports.

While media reports had stated there had been an inquiry following which he was suspended, Mustafa said none had asked him about the issue.

Mustafa, triggered an outrage in the party with his remarks against Rahul Gandhi and blaming him for the party's debacle in the Lok Sabha polls.

Gandhi must resign following the party's disastrous performance and should be removed if he does not resign, he had said.

(PTI)