UDF, LDF leaders deny BJP allegations of illegal CMRL payments

Leaders of the ruling UDF and opposition LDF in Kerala on Thursday, September 24, denied BJP allegations that political leaders from both fronts had received illegal payments from mining company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL).

Health Minister K Muraleedharan acknowledged that he had received election funding from CMRL managing director Sasidharan Kartha several years ago while contesting an election, but said there was nothing improper about it.

“There is nothing to hide. Years ago, during the election, support was given,” Muraleedharan told reporters.

He said election funding and illegal gratification were two different things, adding that political parties routinely received donations during elections.

The remarks came after BJP state vice president Shone George alleged that UDF and LDF leaders had received funds from CMRL. He claimed such payments had prevented the state government from ordering a proper investigation against then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan following an Enforcement Directorate report concerning alleged payments by CMRL to his daughter Veena T.

The ED has alleged that CMRL made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Veena’s now-defunct company, Exalogic Solutions, in the guise of IT consultancy services.

The Kerala government recently decided to order a police inquiry, instead of a Vigilance probe, based on an ED report into alleged money-laundering transactions involving Vijayan, Veena and former minister P A Mohamed Riyas.

Muraleedharan said the government would not accept the ED allegations without an inquiry and said the preliminary investigation should be allowed to proceed.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the allegations should be made a matter of public debate. He questioned why an FIR had not been registered and why a Vigilance inquiry had not been ordered despite the ED report.

Chief Minister V D Satheesan and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty declined to comment on the allegations.

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said no party leader had accepted funds except through proper channels. He said the CPI would not accept money from businesspersons outside legitimate party and election-related activities.

Independent MLA G Sudhakaran, a former CPI(M) leader, said he did not know how his name had figured in the alleged list. He said CMRL managing director Sasidharan Kartha had approached him and CPI(M) leaders seeking permission to mine mineral sands along the Alappuzha coast, but permission was not granted.

Sudhakaran also alleged that CMRL had offered funds to the party, but said he had refused to accept them.