In a strongly-worded clarification on the front page of party daily Chandrika, senior IUML leader E T Muhammad Basheer, MP, virtually denounced the edit page article in the newspaper yesterday.
"Such an article was unwarranted and unnecessary. The party is fully satisfied with the clarifications made by Antony himself on the speech he made at the BrahMos unit in the state capital. The opinions expressed in the article are entirely those of the writer and the party had nothing to do with them," Basheer said.
The article had made an unsparing attack on Antony over his critical remarks against the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala in which IUML is the second largest partner holding key portfolios, including Industries. Significantly, it was penned by a staffer, who is also a leader of IUML's youth wing.
After making some stinging observations against Antony, the writer concluded saying "circumstantial evidences do not permit (us) to believe Antony's criticism was the result of good intentions."
Antony's remarks were interpreted by political circles and the media in Kerala as an open displeasure of the functioning of the UDF ministry headed by Oommen Chandy.
IUML leaders had earlier taken strong objection to Antony's speech at the BrahMos unit since they suspected that its main target had been party leader and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty.
