3 hrs ago
Kerala Parties Deny BJP Claims of Illegal CMRL Payments
The BJP accused leaders from Kerala’s UDF and LDF political fronts of receiving illegal money from CMRL.
K Muraleedharan said he received election funding from CMRL’s managing director several years ago.
He said election donations are different from illegal payments.
The Enforcement Directorate claims CMRL paid Rs 2.78 crore to a company once run by Veena T, the daughter of Pinarayi Vijayan.
The Kerala government decided to order a police inquiry into the matter.
BJP leaders questioned why an FIR and a Vigilance inquiry had not been ordered.
CPI leader Binoy Viswam said party leaders accepted money only through proper channels.
Former CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran said CMRL had offered party funding, but he refused it.
UDF and LDF leaders denied BJP allegations that they received illegal payments from CMRL.
K Muraleedharan acknowledged receiving election funding from CMRL managing director Sasidharan Kartha years ago.
The Enforcement Directorate alleges CMRL made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Veena T’s company, Exalogic Solutions.
The Kerala government chose a police inquiry rather than a Vigilance probe based on the ED report.
BJP leaders demanded answers over the absence of an FIR and a Vigilance investigation, while coalition leaders defended their positions.
- Who
- UDF and LDF leaders, BJP leaders, CMRL, and officials linked to the ED allegations.
- What
- Political leaders disputed allegations that CMRL made illegal payments to UDF and LDF leaders and debated the appropriate investigation.
- Where
- Kerala, India.
- When
- Thursday, September 24; the year is not specified in the report.
- Why
- The dispute followed allegations concerning CMRL payments to Exalogic Solutions and the Kerala government’s decision to order a police inquiry rather than a Vigilance probe.
BJP allegations and demands
UDF and LDF responses
Nature of payments
BJP allegations and demands
The BJP alleged that UDF and LDF leaders received funds from CMRL and questioned whether money was given to the current chief minister.
UDF and LDF responses
K Muraleedharan said election funding and illegal gratification are different, while CPI leader Binoy Viswam said party funds were accepted only through proper channels.
Investigation
BJP allegations and demands
The BJP said an FIR had not been registered and a Vigilance inquiry had not been ordered despite evidence sent by the ED, and called for public debate.
UDF and LDF responses
K Muraleedharan said the government would not blindly accept the ED’s allegations and supported allowing the preliminary police inquiry to proceed.
Political targeting
BJP allegations and demands
BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleged that corruption under CPI(M) rule was also occurring under Congress rule and that authorities were soft on corruption.
UDF and LDF responses
Binoy Viswam said the CPI would not remain silent if the ED’s action represented a political attempt to target the LDF or CPI(M).
Key facts
- Company
- Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL)
- Alleged payment
- The ED alleges fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions.
- Recipient company
- Exalogic Solutions, described as Veena T’s now-defunct company.
- Government action
- Kerala decided to order a police inquiry based on the ED report.
- BJP demand
- BJP leaders called for public discussion and questioned why an FIR and Vigilance inquiry had not been ordered.
- Election funding claim
- K Muraleedharan said he received election funding from Sasidharan Kartha several years ago.
- CPI position
- Binoy Viswam said CPI leaders accepted funds only through proper channels, such as elections and party conferences.
Quotes
Rajeev Chandrasekhar
BJP state president who called for public discussion of the allegations.
“One thing is for sure, except through proper means, no one in the Communist Party would have accepted any funds. Elections, party conferences—other than for these, it can be stated that no one in CPI has accepted money from any businesspersons for anything else. I can comment further after looking into the rest,”
theprint.in
“This needs to be discussed. This should be made a topic of discussion—that is what the BJP wants. This is not for politics, but we hold the opinion that a change in this politics is necessary,”
theprint.in
Sources
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