<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Congress senior leader Kodikunnil Suresh has said that several Dalit leaders could not remain afloat in politics as they could not survive crisis and attacks.</p><p>Suresh, who represents the Mavelikara constituency, was talking at Dalit progress conclave organized by Gandhi Gramam, an initiative of Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.</p><p>"I got elected to the Lok Sabha eight times. It was possible as I could survive many difficult situations and attacks. Even in the last elections there was a campaign by a section of the media that I will get defeated in the election while all other Congress candidates from Kerala will win. But I could survive all such attacks. Many leaders from Dalit communities seem to be unable to survive such attacks and hence they could not remain afloat," he said.</p>.Still a long way to go for SC/ST development: Kerala Guv Arlekar.<p>Even as Suresh's statement triggered speculations that he was lamenting over the lack of prominence being given in the party, leader of opposition V D Satheesan said that Suresh was mentioning about his personal life. "The Congress state leadership always strongly backed him. Despite a planned campaign to defeat him in the last election, the party insisted that he should contest," said Satheesan.</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Congress senior leader Kodikunnil Suresh has said that several Dalit leaders could not remain afloat in politics as they could not survive crisis and attacks.</p><p>Suresh, who represents the Mavelikara constituency, was talking at Dalit progress conclave organized by Gandhi Gramam, an initiative of Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.</p><p>"I got elected to the Lok Sabha eight times. It was possible as I could survive many difficult situations and attacks. Even in the last elections there was a campaign by a section of the media that I will get defeated in the election while all other Congress candidates from Kerala will win. But I could survive all such attacks. Many leaders from Dalit communities seem to be unable to survive such attacks and hence they could not remain afloat," he said.</p>.Still a long way to go for SC/ST development: Kerala Guv Arlekar.<p>Even as Suresh's statement triggered speculations that he was lamenting over the lack of prominence being given in the party, leader of opposition V D Satheesan said that Suresh was mentioning about his personal life. "The Congress state leadership always strongly backed him. Despite a planned campaign to defeat him in the last election, the party insisted that he should contest," said Satheesan.</p>