Kochi, Aug 23 (PTI) Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan on Sunday attacked former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over his remarks on the CMRL case, alleging “unusual corruption” involving crores of rupees credited to the account of his daughter, Veena T.
The Muvattupuzha MLA was responding to Vijayan’s recent remarks that he, his daughter and other family members had done nothing wrong. Vijayan had also denied the Enforcement Directorate’s allegations of hawala transactions in a money laundering case involving Veena and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited.
Kuzhalnadan alleged that Vijayan’s repeated assertion that his “hands are clean” was aimed at diverting attention from the alleged corruption.
“I saw yesterday’s statement of former CM Vijayan with great surprise because I do not understand why a leader like him has stooped to this level,” he told reporters.
Kuzhalnadan said Vijayan had earlier told him in the Assembly that his allegations were a “blatant lie” during an exchange between them over the issue.
The Congress MLA had repeatedly alleged in the Assembly last year that Veena received money from CMRL without providing any service.
“But Vijayan saying that it is a blatant lie was proved wrong by me both inside and outside the Assembly. I had also submitted a privilege notice against his false statement. We all saw how the Speaker withdrew that privilege notice,” he said.
Kuzhalnadan said Vijayan’s response on Saturday gave him the impression that the former CM was afraid of something.
“Looking at his reaction yesterday, I feel that he is afraid of something. In reality, the situation has reached a stage where, no matter how many times Vijayan repeats it, even Communists do not believe him,” he said.
He said he feared that Vijayan was finding it difficult to retain his position within his party or the front.
“I am afraid that he is finding it difficult to retain his position in his party or within the front system. Otherwise, there is no relevance to such reactions,” he said.
Kuzhalnadan said the ED investigation itself was not unusual, but alleged that what had happened in Kerala amounted to “unusual corruption”.
He said the case was different as large sums of money were allegedly credited to the CM’s daughter’s account while she was not holding any public office.
“This is an unusual corruption. The CM’s daughter is simply at home, and crores of rupees are coming into her account,” he said.
Kuzhalnadan criticised Vijayan’s reported remark that the amount involved in the case was small.
The Congress MLA referred to an ED press release stating that Rs 20.5 crore had been diverted.
He said ordinary Communists and members of the working class should take note of the statement.
“I think it is good for ordinary Communists, who are still part of the working class, to understand this. From yesterday’s statement, we can understand that for Veena and Vijayan, Rs 20 crore is considered a small amount,” Kuzhalnadan said. PTI TBA SSK
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