THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP state leadership on Saturday said it would cooperate fully with the Vigilance probe ordered into the private medical college scam.The party’s national executive member P S Sreedharan Pillai and state general secretary K Surendran told reporters here the core committee meeting concluded the scam was an instance of duping allegedly committed by BJP cooperative cell convener R S Vinod in his personal capacity. Regarding the reference to BJP state general secretary M T Ramesh in the probe report, Pillai said the party had full confidence in Ramesh and it is ‘101 per cent convinced of the young and vibrant leader’s innocence’.
“It cannot be treated as a corruption case. It is a criminal offence. Accepting money in lieu of a promised favour and not honouring the word amounts to cheating,” Pillai said. The party had nothing to hide as it had acted in an exemplary manner by ousting Vinod.
“The BJP will not compromise on the issue of corruption. If any other person or persons are involved in the issue we will take stringent action. Since the matter has been brought to the notice of the BJP central leadership, it will initiate further action if needed,” he said.
On whether the Vigilance case will stand legal scrutiny, Pillai evaded a direct reply. Pillai, who claimed the smear campaign against Ramesh was meant to wreck the promising career of the young leader, said the factions of a major political party active in media organisations were instrumental in spreading false propaganda against the BJP.
Pillai and Surendran dared anyone to prove the Centre had done something to grant seats for the Medical College. “It is the greatness of Narendra Modi Government no one succeeded in getting any undue favours despite efforts by someone from within the party,” they claimed.