Thiruvananthapuram | Private agencies are running the Keralam government, and corruption is rampant in the state, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan alleged on Saturday.
He was referring to the chartered flight travel of Chief Minister V D Satheesan, which was allegedly funded by a private entity, and foreign trips by other ministers allegedly sponsored by individuals and welfare agencies.
Speaking to reporters, Govindan said Satheesan, who was once considered close to the media, was now avoiding journalists.
He said the CM's recent statement that he would travel on sponsored flights and that ministers would undertake foreign trips under similar arrangements was unprecedented.
"No CM in the history of Keralam has dared to say this: 'I will travel in planes provided through sponsored arrangements. My ministers will travel to various parts of the world under such arrangements. I fully justify past trips and will continue to do so in the future.' No CM in the world would make such a declaration," Govindan said.
He said such a statement itself indicated blatant corruption.
"It is a breach of the oath of office and is unconstitutional. Using private agencies to run the Keralam government and fully supporting corruption is what this translates to," he said.
Govindan said the CM's decision to avoid the media came after journalists questioned him about the issue.
Regarding a list of politicians released by BJP state president Shone George, who claimed they had received funds from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), which is facing an Enforcement Directorate probe, Govindan said the names of BJP leaders were now also emerging.
"Because of that, a major rift is visible within the BJP itself. Based on each person's interests, they are making individual lists and releasing them. In that, they omit some people's names and add others. Adding and removing names back and forth like this is the pattern of this list," he said.
Govindan said two persons who had admitted to receiving funds were Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty.
He questioned why no investigation was being conducted against the two leaders.
"Why are agencies, including the ED, not ready to investigate the money received by these people? Such questions are being raised in Keralam," he said.
