2 hrs ago
Minister Blames Previous LDF Government for Failed Messi Event
A football event involving Lionel Messi’s Argentina team was planned but failed.
Sports Minister O J Janeesh blamed the previous LDF government and its former sports minister.
He said government officials and facilities helped make the event look trustworthy.
This may have encouraged people to give money to the event sponsor.
Police are investigating whether rules were broken.
Janeesh said the investigation will examine the earlier government’s role.
He also said a stadium lighting agency had not been paid.
The government is separately considering ways to improve sports facilities.
Sports Minister O J Janeesh accused the previous LDF government and former minister V Abdurahiman of facilitating the failed Argentina football event.
Janeesh said government machinery helped give credibility to Reporter Broadcasting Company, the event sponsor under investigation.
The minister alleged that official meetings, government facilities, district collectors and police involvement encouraged people to invest money.
A police Special Investigation Team is probing alleged irregularities, including the event’s e-tender and tripartite agreement.
Janeesh said a lighting agency at Kochi’s GCDA stadium had not received any payment for its work.
- Who
- Sports Minister O J Janeesh accused the previous LDF government and former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman; Reporter Broadcasting Company was the event sponsor under investigation.
- What
- The failed proposed football event featuring Lionel Messi-led Argentina is being investigated for alleged irregularities and possible misuse of government machinery.
- Where
- The proposed match was to be held at the Greater Cochin Development Authority stadium in Kochi, while Janeesh spoke in Kollam.
- When
- The allegations were reported on Monday, September 21; the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- Janeesh said government involvement may have lent credibility to the private sponsor and encouraged people to invest money.
Minister’s allegations
Alternative interpretation
Government’s role
Minister’s allegations
O J Janeesh said the previous LDF government and V Abdurahiman initiated and promoted the event, using government machinery to give the private sponsor credibility.
Alternative interpretation
The report does not include a response from the previous government or V Abdurahiman. Janeesh acknowledged that the government was not necessarily shown to have suffered a direct financial loss.
Nature of the alleged wrongdoing
Minister’s allegations
Janeesh argued that corruption could involve enabling a private sponsor to misuse government machinery, even if the government did not directly lose money.
Alternative interpretation
The extent of any financial loss, money collected and money spent remains subject to the SIT investigation; Janeesh said funds were collected but not spent.
Responsibility for the event
Minister’s allegations
Janeesh said the Left Front, which controlled the state government and GCDA during the discussions, must answer questions about how the event was promoted.
Alternative interpretation
The article reports no formal defense from the Left Front or GCDA officials, and does not establish individual wrongdoing.
Key facts
- Minister
- O J Janeesh, Keralam’s Sports Minister
- Former minister accused
- V Abdurahiman, the previous Sports Minister
- Event
- A proposed football event featuring Lionel Messi-led Argentina
- Sponsor
- Reporter Broadcasting Company
- Investigation
- A police Special Investigation Team is examining alleged irregularities
- Unpaid work
- A lighting agency said it had received no payment for work at the GCDA stadium
- Government response
- The Sports Department examined files and sought an SIT investigation; the Home Department constituted the SIT
Quotes
O J Janeesh
Kerala Sports Minister who alleged government involvement in the failed event
“Wasn’t it the then sports minister himself who initiated all these discussions based on unauthorised emails and the like. So, under instructions from the government, officials did intervene. That is why there was a stage where all government facilities were provided.”
theprint.in
“When it is said that the government suffered no financial loss, where does the corruption actually lie? The corruption lies in giving a private sponsor the opportunity to misuse all government machinery.”
theprint.in
Sources
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Report Alleges Financial Fraud in Aborted Messi Visit
