BJP Leader Demands Vigilance Probe CPI(M) Leaders' Assets

Thiruvananthapuram: Welcoming Kerala Vigilance department's recent steps to check corruption, a senior BJP leader today demanded that it also probe the assets of CPI(M) leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and state party secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

In a letter to Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Director Jacob Thomas, BJP National Executive Committee member V Muraleedharan mentioned certain allegations made in the past against some CPI(M) leaders, now heading ruling LDF, and said the wealth and source of income of them and their family members also should be inquired into.

Apparently referring to the recent action taken against KC(M) leader K M Mani and Congress leader K Babu in the bar bribery case, Mr Muraleedharan, a former BJP state unit chief, also wanted to expand the net of inquiry to cover more UDF leaders.

Welcoming the anti-graft agency's steps to check corruption, the leader said he was writing the letter in the wake of the VACB's recent initiatives to unearth alleged disproportionate assets of political leaders in the state.

Mr Muraleedharan, who shared a copy of the letter on his Facebook page, said there had been complaints regarding the source of income for sending Mr Vijayan's son for pursuing MBA in a foreign university.

He also mentioned about the allegations against Mr Balakrishnan's son's business activities abroad.

"I hope, the earlier allegations against CPI(M) leaders and their kith and kins must have come to your notice. No government has so far made any effort to inquire into it. As VACB director, you have initiated steps to deal with disproportionate assets of political leaders. So, I hope, you will inquire into this also," he said.

He also brought to the notice of the VACB Director, the complaints made against former Chief Minister V S Achutanandan's son and relatives of state Industries Minister E P Jayarajan and P K Sreemathi MP and also against former minister Elamaram Kareem in the past.