THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid controversy over operation of Bhutan and Sikkim lotteries raging in the state, the Congress-led UDF today said it would oppose any moves to ban Kerala state lottery.
Banning the 'Kerala lottery' would put more than three lakh lottery vendors into difficulty and UDF would not allow it, Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters here.
Chandy's remark comes in the wake of State Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac saying government was ready to ban Kerala lottery if the UDF agreed. As per rule, the state could ban operation of other state lotteries only if 'Kerala lottery' was also stopped.
Chandy said there was no controversy over operation of Kerala lottery and the row was over Bhutan and Sikkim lotteries.
Alleging that there was corruption in the operation of these lotteries in the state, Chandy demanded a judicial probe into it.
"State government has the power to take action against the promoters and distributors of Bhutan and Sikkim lotteries for violating rules. Instead of taking action against the operators, government is blaming the Centre," Chandy said..
The 'Lottery controversy' is raging in the state for the past few months with UDF alleging that LDF government was soft towards promoters of Bhutan and Sikkim lotteries as they were "close" to CPI-M in the state.
On the reported criticism by JSS leader K R Gouri over small parties in UDF being sidelined, Chandy said there were "no issues in UDF." JSS is a constituent in the UDF.
On CPI State secretary Veliyam Bharghavan's remark that Gouri was welcome to join CPI, he said Gouri had replied to it.
Reacting to Bharghavan's remark, Gouri had stated 'it was a joke'.
Chandy also termed as 'adjustment' the agreement reached between agitating tribals and government on land issue in Wayanad. "Even after ruling for four years, LDF government has failed to resolve the land issue of tribals," he said.