IANS/Thiruvananthapuram
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader P K Kunhalikutty, a former Kerala minister, who has been the target of political attacks by the ruling Left Front, yesterday said he was now a much liked man by the public.
“Seeing the massive crowds turning up to hear my speeches these days I feel that people like me more and I am happy about the response from them,” Kunhalikutty said.
The League leader has been one of the main targets for attacks by the ruling Left Front, particularly after the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led government decided to reopen old sex abuse cases in which he is allegedly involved.
“I am not an accused in any of the cases, but I am being hunted. When the police are after us, some of the more serious cases of VIPs are being left for the Lok Ayukta for investigation. Why these double standards,” Kunhalikutty asked.
“I have become a soft target for some. That’s why these controversies surfaced just when the elections are round the corner. Even after I die, the controversy around me will not die down,” he told reporters.
Kunhalikutty quit the United Democratic Front (UDF) government in 2005 after the Kozhikode ice cream parlour sex case resurfaced.
He lost the 2006 polls to a former party colleague K T Jaleel, but came back very strongly by leading the IUML in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls by winning both seats given to the party.
However, the sex scandal case returned to haunt him following fresh allegations raised by one of his relatives through a TV channel chaired by his party colleague and former minister M K Muneer.
The police have started re-investigating the case and his statements have been recorded.
On the possibility of his contesting the April 13 assembly elections, Kunhalikutty said the party will decide on this.