AICC secretary Shanimol Usman has launched a scathing attack against Kerala’s Congress president VM Sudheeran who had recently censured her for demanding an inquiry into the alleged illicit relationship between Union Minister KC Venugopal and con woman Saritha S Nair, chief perpetrator of the infamous solar scam.
In a letter to the KPCC leadership, Shanimol, former president of the State Women’s Congress, said it was improper for the PCC chief to wield the sword of party discipline against those who spoke indigestible truth. Stating that she still stood firm on the allegations and demand she had made, she asked Sudheeran not to humiliate her just because she did not have godfathers in the party.
Responding to Shanimol’s letter on Monday, Sudheeran said, “This girl is speaking of baseless matters… Considering the timing of her letter, I am tempted to express the suspicion that this sister has perhaps become a pawn in the hands of certain people who want to weaken the position I have taken (on the State’s yet-to-be formulated liquor policy).”
Sudheeran said he had to censure Shanimol after many others including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy wanted her to be warned when she leveled allegations against Venugopal. He added that a three-member panel headed by a State party vice-president would look into the contents of her letter but Shanimol said she was ready to challenge the allegations Sudheeran raised.