Panakkad pill to counter Sandeep entry backlash

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While elated over the entry of dissident BJP leader Sandeep Varier to its fold, the Congress state leadership was equally concerned about the adverse impact it may have, specifically the possibility of voters from minority communities ditching the party in the November 20 Palakkad by-election.

For, Sandeep has in the past not only targeted Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, but also raised eyebrows with his comments on the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.