Kozhikode district collector N Prasanth on Sunday finally offered an unconditional apology to Kozhikode MP M K Raghavan, after a verbal fight between the two which had continued for the last five days.
The Collector wrote in his recent Facebook post that he was hurt that a personal relationship with the MP had been spoiled.
“I did not intend to insult him; I am not supposed to do also. Today he called me, immature, unwise and profane. That shows how much grudge he holds against me. I am responsible for that. Sometimes I too have behaved emotionally. I seek apology for everything that hurt him,” the Collector wrote.
However, he also added that all legal procedures would be followed in all official matters and he would make the MP understand that.
Raghavan was not happy as the Collector had held back some MP funds for official evaluation.
Following that, the MP had apparently barged into the Collectorate last week on Monday and threatened the staff with dire consequences for throwing the rule book at him, to which the Collector responded with a press note, reiterating that nothing would get done under political pressure or threats issued.
“Public money can be spent only after proper inquiry and evaluation. There are procedures to be followed and no deviation whatsoever would be entertained” the release said.
Later speaking to the media, Prasanth remarked that he chose not to match Raghavan’s standards of speech.
What irked Raghavan even more was the image of Kunnamkulam ‘map’ posted by N Prasanth on Friday. That was apparently in reply to the MP who had sought an apology (maappu) from the Collector in public.
However, the popular Kozhikode collector with a huge fan base in Kerala was well appreciated on social media for seeking an apology.