THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF coalition partners have rallied behind Congress MLA M Vincent, who was arrested on the basis of a woman’s complaint for sexually abusing her. A meeting of the UDF high power committee came to the conclusion there is a well laid political conspiracy and intervention of the Chief Minister’s office behind the MLA’s arrest. Expressing dissatisfaction over the ongoing probe and demanding an impartial and judicious investigation to bring out the truth, the meet also felt Vincent need not quit his Assembly membership.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala told the meeting though Vincent had filed complaints with the Assembly Speaker and DGP many months ago against the woman when she raised a volley of allegations against him, it was never probed. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy gave a detailed account of the entire issue, asserting the CPM leaders, including an MLA, were working overtime to trap Vincent.
UDF convener P P Thankachan told reporters in ordinary circumstances, none will be arrested on the basis of a complaint,if an anticipatory bail application moved is under the consideration of a court. “The practice was not followed. The complaint given by Vincent against the woman to the Assembly Speaker and the DGP long ago was not taken into account either. The law enacted by Parliament is for the protection of women, but not for its misuse,” he said.
‘’Weren’t the allegations against Jose Thettayil, former MLA of Angamaly, and A K Saseendran enough to arrest them? The arrest of Vincent was in haste and it was politically motivated. The UDF registers strong protest on it,” Thankachan said.