'Stay away from CPM Party Congress,' says Sudhakaran; Tharoor claims 'no ban'

Shashi Tharoor said Saturday that the Congress leadership has not prohibited its leaders from attending seminars on the sidelines of the CPM Party Congress.

The statement from the Member of Parliament comes the same day state Congress chief K Sudhakaran urged his colleagues to stay away from CPM forums.

"Congress leaders have been instructed to not participate in CPM seminars. It is unacceptable to the party workers to see their leaders attend the forums of CPM," Sudhakaran had said earlier on the day.

However, Tharoor has said that the Party Congress is a national event and it was not inappropriate to voice opinions by participating in it.

He said dialogues were essential between members of different political parties in a democracy.

Tharoor said he will take up the matter with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi if there was a restriction from the state leadership.

The CPM had invited a host of senior Congress leaders including Tharoor, Ramesh Chennithala and KV Thomas for seminars as part of the Party Congress that is scheduled to be held from April 6 to 10 in Kannur.

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said earlier that Congress leaders had refused to participate after being told so by the party.