A sting operation connected with the Solar case, at the instance of a TV channel on Friday, landed Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar in trouble.
The soundtrack of the conversation with the Minister by the channel reporter who imitates the voice of the secretary to Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed and a telephonic conversation between the reporter and a Malappuram-based industrialist, indicating some deal, was aired by the channel, adding more spice to the ongoing row.
Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan and his deputy Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and other LDF leaders sought the resignation of the minister. “The disclosures have established that the Solar case is indeed fishy with the involvement of those in the government. The government should resign,’’ he demanded.
However, Anil Kumar reacted sharply to the sting operation of the news channel. “I had never mentioned about any deal. I was contacted in the voice of another person, as it emerges now. Even then, what I had told was that nothing of the sort of a deal should be thought of. I had also stated in the conversation that Hamsa (Malappuram industrialist) was asked not to proceed on behalf of me or others since it was clear that attempts were there to blackmail many in the government. The full soundtrack, which is not being aired, will reveal it,’’ he told ‘Express.’ “To where is the media heading for through such acts?,’’ he asked. ‘’I have nothing to say, I had already told whatever I have to,’’ commented Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Congress leader K Murleedharan MLA felt that there was no clarity in the allegation against A P Anil Kumar. “I was unable to understand what the issue on which the telephonic conversation is taking place,’’ he said.
K Babu plans legal action
Responding to BJP leader K Surendran’s allegation that some Congress leaders had tried to influence Saritha Nair’s advocate Fenny Balakrishnan, Excise Minister K Babu said he would take legal action against Surendran for making allegations against him.
Surendran had alleged that Minister K Babu and Benny Behanan MLA had offered money to Fenny Balakrishnan to settle issues. “Surendran has come up with baseless allegations, which are completely against facts. I have decided to take legal action against Surendran for making these allegations”, Babu told ‘Express’.
Earlier speaking to reporters at Ernakulam ACJM Court premises, Fenny Balakrishnan denied reports about receiving money from politicians. “If you can name the politicians who are alleged to have given me money, I can say more about these allegations. These are false reports and there is no truth in it,” he maintained.