Kadakampally Surendran in the crosshairs as CPI(M) sends mixed signals on Potti row

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Devaswom Minister and senior CPI(M) legislator Kadakampally Surendran has emerged as the ruling party's most embattled face in the unfolding Sabarimala gold theft controversy, with developments inside and outside the Kerala Assembly on Thursday underlining a growing dissonance within the Left Front's public narrative.

On Wednesday, breaking his silence amid mounting pressure, Surendran told the media that he had visited the residence of prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti only once, and had not received any gifts or favours from him.

Thirteen people, including three top CPI(M) and one CPI leader, are presently in judicial custody in the Sabarimala gold heist case.

Surendran on Thursday clarified that the visit was to attend a function related to Potti's father and that an earlier reference to a child's programme had been a mistake.