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Prove innocence, Ravi tells CPI(M)

Special Correspondent

Gouri's revelations on topple bid

KOCHI: Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi has asked the CPI(M) to convince the people if it is not guilty of the alleged bid to topple the former Antony Government and install K. Karunakaran as Chief Minister three years ago.

"There is no point in attacking JSS leader K.R. Gouri for her revelation of the topple bid," Mr. Ravi told a news conference here on Wednesday.

"If the CPI(M) is not guilty of such a heinous act, let it prove its innocence."

Mr. Ravi was referring to a statement by Ms. Gouri that the CPI(M) had tried to replace Mr. Antony with Mr. Karunakaran as Chief Minister and that it had sought her and her party's support. Her party, at the time a part of the Antony Government, was offered Rs.2 crore as an incentive and she was offered the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

Ms. Gouri had alleged that Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan (who has denied the allegation) and Education Minister M.A. Baby met her to seek her support in the topple bid and that she flatly rejected the offer.

Mr. Ravi said it was `immoral' on the part a political party like the CPI(M) to entice with bribes a person like Gouri. It would not have been done without the knowledge of the CPI(M) leadership, he said.

Mr. Ravi said he was tipped off about the topple bid. Mr. Antony was aware of it and he had spoken to Ms. Gouri about it.

The UDF had taken its own steps to checkmate the plot on time, he said.

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