CM using DGP to sabotage probe: KPCC chief

Thiruvananthapuram:

KPCC

president

Mullappally Ramachandran

said that DGP

Loknath Behera

had a secret meeting with

Customs

House commissioner in Kochi recently. He alleged that the meeting that lasted for 90 minutes was part of a

conspiracy

to

sabotage

the ongoing customs probe into the

gold smuggling

case.

“The chief minister made an unexpected move using the DGP as the probe has reached the final phase and names of more CPM leaders got involved in the case. The Kerala DGP is working as an aide of the chief minister. The DGP has stooped to the level of a broker of the CPM,” Ramachandran said in a statement.

Reiterating his allegation that there was an understanding between the CPM and BJP on the investigation by central agencies, Ramachandran said an astrologer from north Kerala, who is connected to BJP central leaders, is the mediator of the deal between both parties. “The BJP central leadership is monitoring the probe daily. There is a criminal laxity in interrogating CM’s additional private secretary C M Raveendran. Investigating agencies are providing ample time for the suspects to destroy evidence,” he said. The KPCC chief also alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan, who is now in his native village, has converted the convention centre at Pinarayi into a centre for secret operations and meetings. “It has been revealed that secret statements by gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh and Sarith name a few ministers, CPM leaders and their family members. The absence of the CM from the campaign scene and his involvement in the secret operations are mysterious,” Ramachandran said.

Asked about the KPCC president’s remarks, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said somebody would have to seek the service of another astrologer to find who the astrologer he was referring to. “My request to him is to be a little more serious in politics,” the CM said, dismissing the allegations.

“Also, my decision to keep away from physical campaign is for ensuring the adherence to Covid-19 protocol. At present, only 100 people can attend a public function,” Vijayan told reporters during an online news conference.