R Shankar’s family on Tuesday expressed displeasure over the raging controversy in connection with the unveiling of the statue of the former Chief Minister of Kerala.

His son Mohan Shankar categorically derided all attempts to portray his father as an RSS member.

In an oblique reference to Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan’s role in the said issue, Mohan stressed that politics and the SNDP Yogam should be dealt with separately.

Mohan also clarified that he would not be attending the unveiling ceremony to be held in Kollam on Tuesday. PM Modi is scheduled to attend the same.

This decision was purely personal and had nothing to do with any demand made by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), he said.

Congress leaders had on Monday protested in the Lok Sabha that the Centre had allegedly played a role in the Kerala CM’s invitation to the unveiling ceremony, being withdrawn at the last minute.