Kerala CM accuses Centre of vindictive attitude over Wayanad relief
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday criticized the Central government for allegedly denying financial relief for the rehabilitation of Wayanad landslide survivors.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday rejected the Congress-led UDF’s demand for an inquiry into the allegations of financial fraud against CPI(M) state secretary’s son following which opposition members staged a walkout.
The issue, raised by Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala as a submission in the state Assembly, led to heated exchanges between the members of the ruling CPI(M) and opposition Congress.
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Causing an embarrassment to the ruling party, Dubai-based JAAS Tourism company had alleged that Binoy, the elder son of CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, had cheated the firm to the tune of Rs 13 crore.
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Rejecting the opposition demand, the chief minister said the government cannot order a probe based on “motivated” allegations.
The matter was not before the government or the House, he said while replying to the submission by Chennithala.
“No complaint has been received by the government in this regard. The government is not ready for any probe based on motivated allegation,” Vijayan said.
The chief minister also brought to the notice of the House the statement made by Binoy saying that no case or travel ban is against him at present.
He also said it was “unfortunate” that the opposition raised the issue in the House with “political motives” based on media reports.
Referring to similar allegations of financial fraud against the son of LDF independent MLA from Chavara, Vijayan Pillai, the chief minister said as an FIR had been registered in this regard, law would take its own course.
Coming down heavily on the ruling front, Chennithala said the chief minister and the left government was trying to “cover up” something in the issue by not ordering a probe.
“Why is the government not ordering a probe into such a serious issue? Is it not a serious one as the allegation is against the son of state CPI(M) secretary?” he asked.
People of the state want to know the source of income for Binoy to run business in foreign countries like UAE and Nepal besides India, the Congress leader said.
He reminded the ruling members that the CPI(M) was a party which dismissed its former Rajya Sabha MP and SFI chief, Ritabrata Banerjee in the name of using ‘luxurious’ articles like Iphone and montblanc pen violating party line.
In a tit-for-tat reply, the chief minister, also a polit bureau member, said, “That is how our party functions.. Action will be taken against anyone who acts in contradictory to party lines.”
The opposition members later staged a walk out in protest against the government rejecting their demand for a probe into the allegations.
Meanwhile, BJP in the state today approached the Enforcement Directorate seeking a probe into alleged illegal financial transactions carried out by Binoy.
Party state general secretary A N Radhakrishnan said in Kochi that BJP has sought a thorough probe by the agency into the the financial dealings of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s family members including his two sons Binoy and Bineesh.
However, CPI(M) polit bureau member S Ramachandaran Pillai said allegations against Binoy was a civil dispute and it should be settled in court and the party can not intervene.
Corruption and misuse of power cannot be alleged in this matter, he added.
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