Kerala BJP leader apologises to CPI(M) veteran for defamatory comments in 2018

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Kerala BJP leader B Gopalakrishnan publicly apologised to senior CPI(M) leader and former minister PK Sreemathi for defamatory remarks made against her during a television debate in 2018.

Standing alongside Sreemathi, Gopalakrishnan told reporters on Mar 27, “I regret the mental distress caused to Sreemathi Teacher. I have no evidence to substantiate my claims.”

The apology comes as part of a legal settlement following a defamation complaint filed by Sreemathi before the Kannur Judicial First Class Magistrate Court. 

She had alleged that Gopalakrishnan falsely accused her of facilitating large-scale corruption related to a company owned by her son and former Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s son in the supply of medicines to Government Medical College Hospitals during her tenure as Health Minister (2006-11).