ALAPPUZHA: The CPI on Monday levelled allegations of abuse of power against a minister in the former UDF Cabinet, following the Income Tax raids on establishments under Sreevalsam Group which is owned by a former cop.
CPI district secretary T J Anjalose demanded an inquiry into the alleged nexus between retired Nagaland Additional SP M K R Pillai and the minister - who he did not name - alleging the latter helped Pillai amass wealth across Haripad. The leader has influence in national politics, alleged Anjalose. He also alleged the police mediated for the company to let it accumulate wealth illegally in Haripad.
The raids on the companies and offices of Sreevalsam group a few days ago had revealed the company owned property and business across the state and in Nagaland. Leaders of various political parties had apparently helped Pillai in accumulating land. Recently, the group also tried to purchase six cents of land in a prime location of the town for `2 crore. Anjalose also demanded an inquiry into the land deal for the proposed Haripad Medical College (HMC).
The previous UDF Government had approved of the public-private-participation model for the HMC and purchased land for it. The state government had only a 26 per cent share while other shareholders were private parties. Based on this, the LDF Government alleged it was a real estate business. It also did not approve filling of the 15 acres of land - acquired by the UDF Government for the HMC - saying it was paddy land. The Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau had also registered a case in allotting the HMC’s consultancy to Archi Matrix - a healthcare architecture.