CPM Sees Political Ploy against Kareem

CPM state secretariat has maintained that allegations against Kareem was to distract public opinion against the corrupt UDF

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretariat has maintained that the allegations against party central committee member and former Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem were part of a political conspiracy to distract attention from the public opinion against the ‘’corrupt’’ UDF Government. Levelling corruption charges against Kareem was part of ploy aimed at equating the LDF with the UDF, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said.

Kodiyeri said that there was nothing new about Kareem in the allegations. It was a statement given by a person who was made an approver by the CBI.

He said the CBI which probed the case for two years could found nothing against Kareem.Kodiyeri said that it was the LDF Government which took  the initiative to set up the Vizhinjam project.

But it had to face several roadblocks,, he said. However, mystery surrounds the UDF Government’s plan to hand over the project to Adani Group, he added.  ‘’We had already heard that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had privately met Adani in New Delhi. But with the statement of K V Thomas that the meeting took place at his New Delhi residence the mystery has deepened,’’ the CPM leader said.

Asked whether the CPM would be attending the all-party meeting on Vizhinjam, he said the party will take part in the meeting.

CLEARING THE AIR

• Kodiyeri said there was no question of the CPM going for a tie-up with the Muslim League. When pointed out E P Jayarajan’s statement in this regard, he said Jayarajan had denied such a report
• Kodiyeri said the Vizhinjam project is a prestigious one for state and hence can’t jeopardise it
• The secretariat is irked over VS’s claim that he was trying to bring back those who had left LDF
• The secretariat asked VS whether he was intending to lead a parallel party leadership. If so, no such move would be tolerated