THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has sought the intervention of the Kerala and Karnataka Chief Ministers to end the continuing stand-off between PDP leader Abdul Nassar Madhani and the Karnataka police over the former’s trip to the state.The stand-off is over the issue of charging an exorbitant fee for providing security to Madhani’s travel to attend his son’s wedding next week.
Ramesh spoke to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramiah on Wednesday. Chennithala said Madhani should be provided security similar to his earlier visits to the state and the Karnataka police should charge only the amount billed in such trips. The Karnataka police had reportedly demanded an amount of Rs 14.5 lakh to provide security to Madhani during his proposed two weeks’ stay in Kerala.
During his earlier visits, only Rs 50,000 was charged, a PDP delegation led by Poonthura Siraj apprised the Opposition leader. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke to Siddaramiah on Wednesday offering to ensure adequate security by the state police to Madhani during his stay here,thereby lessening the burden on the Karnataka police.