Thiruvananthapuram | Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan on Thursday claimed that the alleged money laundering case arising from the CMRL-Exalogic matter would turn out to be the biggest scam in Keralam.
Kuzhalnadan, who had been vocal about the case in the Keralam Assembly and public forums when Pinarayi Vijayan was the chief minister, said people should wait with patience and anticipation for further developments in the matter.
The Muvattupuzha MLA's remarks came after the Enforcement Directorate wrote to state police chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar seeking registration of an FIR against Leader of Opposition in the Keralam Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, her husband and MLA P A Mohamed Riyas, and others in connection with the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited bribery case.
The ED has sought registration of the case based on "evidence" gathered during its probe and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The agency has alleged that CMRL made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct company, Exalogic Solutions, under the guise of "IT consultancy services".
The ED had searched premises linked to Veena, who was living with Vijayan at a rented accommodation in Thiruvananthapuram, in May and subsequently questioned her.
Speaking to reporters, Kuzhalnadan alleged that the CMRL-Exalogic case involved the biggest corruption and "looting" Keralam had ever witnessed.
"Until now, we only talked about one mining company. Going forward, details will emerge about how money was collected from various sources, how efforts were made to launder that collected corruption money-black money-and how attempts were made to smuggle that money out of here," he said.
Kuzhalnadan said he had faced heavy criticism when he raised the issue in the Assembly and public forums but had continued to pursue it as a fight for the truth.
"I gave a word to the people of Keralam that I will go as far as possible, with the utmost sincerity, on this issue. Because it is nothing else; it is a fight for the truth," he said.
He said he wanted the case to serve as a lesson to those who believed they could misuse power while holding positions of authority.
Asked about the ED seeking registration of a corruption case by the Keralam police against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas, Kuzhalnadan said the UDF government was "popular and pro-people" and would not compromise on corruption.
"Do not think that there will be even a grain of compromise against corruption or against such matters. What we desire and expect, what the people or this society desires-the best possible decision will come from the side of this government," he said.
Kuzhalnadan said there was a demand from the public for registration of a corruption case, as sought by the ED.
Asked whether allegations that Congress leaders received money from CMRL could put the party in trouble, he said the Congress would not have taken such a strong stand if it had any fear about the matter.
"It is because of having a clear conviction about the matter that we stepped out strongly against it. The UDF government needs to have no anxiety or fear in this matter," he said.
Kuzhalnadan said it was only a matter of time before Vijayan was booked in the case.
"Wait and see," he said.
Health Minister K Muraleedharan said a decision on registration of a case against Vijayan would be taken after examining the legal aspects and obtaining appropriate legal advice.
Muraleedharan said there was no need for ministers or the government to interfere in the matter and that the law should take its own course.
"When a letter is submitted, the police cannot refrain from taking action based on it. That is why they sought legal advice. Accordingly, we are not interfering in it. Let the law take its own course," he said.
He said the allegations contained in the ED letter were serious.
"We had pointed out this very issue while we were in the opposition-that Veena's Exalogic company received compensation without rendering any service. That is a very serious matter," he said.
Muraleedharan said the Congress party's stand against the ED over its credibility was not an issue in this matter.
"When the ED submits a letter to the police, they have an obligation to investigate it. That is why, as I understand, they have sought legal advice. None of us is interfering," he said.
