Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on Monday expelled AP Abdullakutty from the party for his post on Facebook, in which he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Party leaders took action after his explanation was deemed “unsatisfactory.” Abdullakutty reportedly stood by the statements he made in the Facebook post.

The KPCC sent a letter to Abdullakutty on April 29 seeking an explanation of his statements made in the post. When media reporters enquired with the leader, he said that he did not receive any letter from the party and would respond once he receives it.

The party sent a letter via e-mail and also by registered post and sought an explanation. Many Congress leaders had come to the fore demanding action against him.

In March 2009, Abdullakutty was dismissed from CPI(M) for praising Modi, who was the then Gujarat CM, as well as Sheila Dixit, the then Delhi CM, for the “progress they had brought about in their states”.

Abdullakutty stated that it was Congress who accepted him into the party after he was expelled from CPI(M) when he praised Modi, and now has expelled him for doing the same. He also iterated that his Facebook post heaped praises on Mahatma Gandhi, “which has not been talked about.”

Earlier, Mullapally Ramachandran, president of the Kerala Congress, told reporters that strong action needs to be taken against Abdullakutty.

CPI(M) leader and Kannur district secretary MV Jayarajan mocked Abdullakutty by saying that he is waiting to join the BJP.  K Muraleedharan, senior Congress leader went so far as to say that any Congress worker praising PM Modi would not be accepted in the party.