By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) will meet Thursday to decide the fate of Public Works Minister T.U. Kuruvilla, who is facing corruption charges in a land deal even as the opposition has stepped up its demand for his resignation.
Trouble for Kuruvilla started last month when treasury bench legislator P.C. George alleged that his three sons had accepted Rs.67.5 million from Kuwait-based businessman K.G. Abraham for the transfer of a plot of land.
Chief Minister Achuthanandan then asked Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran to look into the matter. Rajendran in turn directed Idukki collector Raju Narayana Swamy to investigate and submit a report that indicated Kuruvilla’s involvement in corrupt dealings.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Kuruvilla put up a brave face and said he was least worried about the outcome. “My conscience is clear because neither me nor my children have done any wrong. I am not at all worried,” he said.
But George told IANS that even god couldn’t save him anymore. “The chief minister has already got a full report and would inform the meeting (on Thursday) about the crimes that Kuruvilla committed. In yesterday’s meeting, that his party chief P.J. Joseph had with the other allies of the Left, many said that they would be unable to stand by Kuruvilla,” he said.
But Joseph and his party are hopeful that factionalism in the Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M) would come to his aide because while Achuthanandan is not keen to keep Kuruvilla, the CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan is not willing to displease Joseph.
“Achuthanandan was shouting from the rooftops about fighting corruption and now he is only studying for the past one month about Kuruvilla’s shady dealings. We are waiting to see if he protects Kuruvilla. If that happens, we would start a big protest,” said senior Congress legislator V.D. Satheesan.