Kottayam (Kerala) | The BJP on Friday accused the Kerala government of "misleading" the state assembly over its plans for private participation in mineral sand mining, alleging that Chief Minister V D Satheesan's statement in the House was at odds with official documents.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP state vice-president Shone George claimed that the government's position on the issue contradicted records related to an agreement involving state-owned Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML) and a Telangana-based firm.

When contacted, a source in the Chief Minister's Office said they had no response to the allegations.

Referring to the assembly debate that followed the state's budget announcement on allowing private participation in the coastal mineral sand sector, George said the CM had stated that "the privatisation of mineral sand mining is not the government's plan."

According to George, however, documents submitted by the Telangana-based firm to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) indicate that the company had reached an understanding with KMML.

He also distributed the copies of the memorandum and related documents at the press conference.

When contacted, officials in the Chief Minister's Office refused to comment.

George alleged that the understanding arose from a tender issued by KMML and included provisions for supplying raw materials required for processing minerals, including monazite, as well as permitting the use of two acres of KMML land and related infrastructure.

He further claimed that the documents provide for the company's requirements to be met first from raw materials collected by KMML before supplies are made for other purposes.

The BJP leader also raised concerns over the handling of strategic minerals, saying the collection and processing of thorium-bearing monazite had national security implications.

"The collection and handling of strategic minerals, including thorium-bearing monazite, is a matter connected with national security," George said, adding that the Chief Minister's statement in the assembly that private companies have no role in the sector was "contrary to reality and a matter of serious concern."

The BJP leader further alleged that procedures involving the company had begun on May 6, before the state budget was presented.

"Since the procedures relating to this company had already commenced on May 6, the subsequent budget announcement on privatisation strengthens the suspicion that the policy was intended specifically for the benefit of this company," he said.

The Assembly election results were announced on May 5, confirming that the UDF would come to power. However, the decision that Satheesan would become the Chief Minister was taken only about a week later.

George urged the government to withdraw from any move that, according to him, could have implications for national security.