The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Kuruvilla should quit, says Chandy

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Friday, Aug 31, 2007
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Kuruvilla should quit, says Chandy

Special Correspondent

Alleges bid to protect Minister

Says Minister should step down before probe
Mani flays LDF for decision on probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said here on Thursday that the judicial inquiry into the allegations against Public Works Minister T.U. Kuruvilla should be conducted only after keeping him out of the Ministry.

In a statement, he said the Idukki District Collector’s report had listed the irregularities involved in the Rajakkad land deal. The holding of another inquiry was aimed at protecting his ministership.

He argued that the judicial inquiry was being conducted as the Minister was found to be prima facie guilty. The convention was for Ministers to step down whenever judicial inquiries were held against them.

The Chief Minister had at the time of assumption of office declared that not a single corrupt person would find a place in his Ministry. He has now proved that ideals and morality are merely for making political gains. It was for the Chief Minister to take a decision if a Minister who was under the shadow of allegation refused to quit. The Chief Minister had not taken any action on a complaint submitted by a ruling front MLA a month ago.

He asked the Chief Minister to make his stand on the issue clear.

Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani has also demanded that Mr. Kuruvilla’s resignation from the Cabinet following the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) decision to order a judicial probe into the alleged land scam involving him and his family members.

Addressing a press conference here, he said Mr. Kuruvilla should resign forthwith and face judicial probe in the

true democratic traditions followed by leaders like M.N. Govindan Nair and T.V. Thomas who had resigned from their posts following decisions to order judicial probes against them.

Mr. Mani was guarded in his responses to questions on the Kerala Congress (Joseph)’s stand on the Minister’s resignation. He, however, hit out at the LDF for announcing a judicial probe outside its brief. Usually, it is the Cabinet that decides on a judicial probe, with the Chief Minister making the necessary announcement about it. The LDF decision was a clear indication that the decision had emanated from the AKG Centre, the CPI (M)’s State headquarters.

This was an unhealthy practice and an indication that the LDF rule had gone astray, he said.

Mr. Mani also did not comment on questions relating to the ouster of P.C. George, Kerala Congress (Secular) MLA, from the LDF.

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