Kerala - Kozhikode   

`Achuthanandan fooling people'

Staff Reporter

Drive against graft hollow: Chennithala

KOZHIKODE: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala has alleged that Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan is `fooling the people' by announcing at election meetings in Thiruvambadi that he will take steps against corruption without taking any step during the last six months.

Talking to reporters here on Saturday, Mr. Chennithala alleged that Mr. Achuthanandan was keeping mum on Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's efforts to `sabotage' a CBI probe into SNC Lavlin case.

"It was the UDF Government led by Oommen Chandy which recommended CBI probe into the SNC Lavlin case. Hence it was imperative that the Cabinet should meet and decide to review the decision. But the Home Minister was taking decision on his own," Mr. Chennithala alleged.

He challenged Mr. Achuthanandan to probe all cases of corruption. He said the Home Ministry was a `total failure'.

"The people of the State are in fear due to the inefficiency and inactiveness of the Home Ministry. The Home Minister is more interested in sabotaging SNC Lavlin case,'' Mr. Chennithala said.

He said the crumbling law and order situation was an aftermath of the withdrawal of the Goonda Act implemented by the previous UDF Government.

He expressed confidence that the UDF would win in Thiruvambadi. He, however, alleged that CPI(M) cadres had taken possession of electoral identity cards of seven voters in a tribal colony who all belonged to the Booth No. 54 in Thiruvambadi. He said the Election Commission should be more vigilant on this count.

Criticising the setting up of a memorial for Kayyur martyrs in Kannur Central Jail with Government funds, Mr. Chennithala said the martyrdom was not part of freedom struggle, but an agrarian struggle. "It was not justifiable to erect martyrdom in jails with Government funds. It is not right to misuse public exchequer," he said.

He said the LDF was now implementing the Narendran Commission report that was approved earlier by the UDF Government.

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