The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : KPCC chief’s poser to Benoy Viswom

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Monday, Oct 29, 2007
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

KPCC chief’s poser to Benoy Viswom

Special Correspondent

Why CPI resisted plea for probe into Ponmudi land deal

The Minister did not take action on the basis of media reports about irregularities
Removal of Minister’s private secretary tacit admission of his office’s role

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala has asked Forests Minister Benoy Viswom why the Communist Party of India (CPI) resisted the demand made by other Left Democratic Front constituents for a detailed investigation into the Ponmudi land deal.

On Mr. Viswom’s statement that he did not wear the cap of graft, Mr. Chennithala said on Sunday that the Minister could not wriggle out of the scandal and deny his role in facilitating the deal by putting the blame on the previous United Democratic Front government.

Seeking the Minister’s response to a few questions, Mr. Chennithala, in a statement here, said the cloud of suspicion had not been cleared.

He wanted to know why the Minister did not take any action on the basis of media reports about irregularities in the deal and responded only when the Opposition stepped up its campaign for his resignation.

He sought to know why his private secretary, a former leader of the pro-CPI Joint Council, was removed from his post and if it was not a tacit admission about his office’s role in the deal.

Mr. Chennithala sought to know if the Minister had discussed issues related to Merchiston Estate with his officials prior to taking the initiative to convene the contentious meeting to discuss labour problems in the estate.

Eviction notices

Mr. Viswom should clarify why the Forest Department had issued eviction notices to Xavy Mano Mathew, with whom the Indian Space Research Organisation had entered into the deal, Mr. Chennithala said.

It was full of loopholes facilitating a favourable verdict from the High Court.

He should also clarify why the Advocate-General, who had prepared the eviction notice, took a stand in the High Court to enable Mr. Mathew to get a stay on the eviction.

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