The CPI(M) State Committee, the powerful body of the party in Kerala which met at Thiruvananthapuram on Friday to take stock of the situation arising out of the gold smuggling through diplomatic channel in which the name of an official in the Chief Minister’s office was figured, expressed its full confidence in the leadership of Pinarayi Vijayan.
“It was due to the waywardness of M Sivsankar, the then principal secretary of the Chief Minister that led to the tarnishing of the CMO’s image. The Chief Minister took effective measures immediately after he came across the reports. The CPI(M) is undertaking a house-to-house campaign to convince the people about the realities behind the scam,” said Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the party’s Kerala secretary while briefing the media about the decisions taken in the day-long meeting.
Balakrishnan said the party took strong objection to the comments made by JP Nadda, the BJP national president that the gold in Kerala was red in colour. “I would like to remind him that the gold in Kerala is saffron and green in colour. It was a BMS leader who intervened in the case on behalf of the accused to get the gold consignment released from the Customs officials. The gold was smuggled by persons who are having close links with the Muslim League,” said Balakrishnan.
He said the Party asserted its trust and confidence in all the actions taken by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. “It was the high handedness of M Sivsankar, the then principal secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office that led to a situation where the CMO’s image came under scrutiny. But Sivsankar was suspended from office and new persons have been appointed in his place. The Government has effectively handled the issue,” said the CPI(M) secretary.
Balakrishnan said that P K Krishnadas, one of the BJP leaders was heard demanding the dismissal of the CPI(M) led government. “This shows how despair the BJP is in Kerala. The Congress and the Muslim League are hand in glove with terrorists and religious extremists. They get the support of the BJP in creating lawlessness in Kerala,” alleged Balakrishnan.
He said the CPI(M) welcomed the Government of India’s decision to entrust the investigation of the gold smuggling case to the National Investigating Agency. “A comprehensive probe by the NIA and the Customs would bring the truth out,” said the CPI(M) secretary.
Meanwhile two more persons were taken into custody by the Customs officials from Malappuram in connection with gold smuggling.
Jayaghosh, gunman of the UAE attaché was saved from the jaws of death by the police when he tried to commit suicide on Friday by cutting the veins in his hand. His family members told police that the cop was in a state of agitated mind after the attaché left India for UAE. A probe has been ordered by the police chief into the incident.