Kerala: CPI supports LDF move to shield higher education minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With CPI leadership also declaring its support to K T Jaleel, the LDF has decided to protect the higher education minister who was interrogated by enforcement directorate and national investigation agency in connection with the gold smuggling case.
CPI, which maintained a neutral stand all these days, came out in support of Jaleel on Thursday. CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran told reporters that there was no need for Jaleel to quit.He said there was no precedent of ministers quitting on such flimsy grounds. It is reliably learnt that the Rajendran had communicated with his counterpart in CPM on the issue and there was an understanding to deal the case based on facts. LDF state committee will meet here on Friday as decided and Jaleel’s issue will also be discussed. CPM state secretariat meeting is also scheduled on Friday “Even when ED summoned him, we knew that NIA and customs might summon him. It is a connected investigation and naturally the witness will have to explain details to all agencies. So, there is no confusion and what we decided earlier is our stand,” said a senior CPM leader. On Thursday, minister AK Balan and senior leader MV Govindan supported Jaleel. Balan said there was no precedent of a minister resigning anywhere in India just because he was summoned by an investigating agency. “If someone must quit on receipt of a notice, all the ministers will have to do so. We are not going to set a new precedent,” he said.
Govindan said there is no need for the minister to quit even if there is a case. He claimed that the first accused in the gold smuggling case is Union minister V Muraleedharan.
Though senior leaders of CPM and CPI supported Jaleel, concerns were levelled by leaders at the grassroots-level. With local body poll on the threshold, leaders are worried about the campaign unleashed by UDF and BJP against the government.
“Local body polls is very important for local level leaders. It is their only chance to win some reward for the otherwise, thankless jobs. Such issues may seriously affect the prospects of victory of hundreds of party workers. That is a concern,” said the leader of a feeder organisation of CPM.
The state committee meeting of CPM will be held on September 26 to discuss political developments. CPI has also convened state executive meeting on September 23 and 24 for a similar exercise.