Overview
- State CPI(M) chief M. V. Govindan said Antony’s belated contrition confirms the Left’s long-held objections to the use of force at Sivagiri in 1995 and Muthanga in 2003.
- A. K. Antony expressed sorrow over both episodes yet maintained the Sivagiri intervention was compelled by a Kerala High Court order to enforce a leadership handover.
- Antony urged the government to release the Justice Balakrishnan Nambiar commission report on Sivagiri and the CBI findings on Muthanga for public scrutiny.
- Law Minister P. Rajeeve told the Assembly that Antony’s statements open the way to challenge the Congress over its rights record in previous UDF administrations.
- Sivagiri leadership remains split, with the president calling police entry unavoidable while the general secretary faults Antony for not pursuing less coercive legal options.