By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala’s Public Works Minister T.U. Kuruvilla Thursday offered to resign, an hour after the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) recommended a judicial probe into a controversial land deal in which he was accused of cheating a businessman.
P.J. Joseph, the chairman of the Kerala Congress (Joseph) – to which the minister belongs, told reporters that Kuruvilla had expressed his desire not to continue as minister in the wake of the judicial probe.
Joseph was speaking at Kuruvilla’s residence after a meeting of top leaders of his party.
“Our party is meeting on Sep 2 and a final decision would be taken then. At the LDF meeting various allies also said it would be better if he resigns. We welcome the probe,” said Joseph.
Kuruvilla’s resignation is now a formality and it is expected before the start of the assembly session on Sep 4.
LDF convenor Vaikom Viswom told reporters: “After discussions it has been found that we require more information on the land deal and hence we have recommended a judicial probe. We have not asked for the resignation of Kuruvilla.”
Surprisingly, Viswom announced that the LDF had decided that P.C. George, a legislator who brought the controversial deal in the open, was shown the door as a ‘friendly LDF ally’.
Last year Joseph had to step down as minister following news reports that he had misbehaved with a woman on board a flight from Chennai to Kochi. And George was largely instrumental in bringing out that issue too.
George has been having a running feud with his former party, Kerala Congress (Joseph), ever since he was ousted from it just ahead of the April-May 2006 assembly polls.
He then formed the Kerala Congress (Secular). Though not a full-fledged ally of the LDF, his party was given the status of a ‘friendly ally’.
“It has come to our notice that George has been airing his opinions as if he were an LDF spokesperson. Henceforth, that will not happen and he will have no relation with the LDF,” said Viswom.
Trouble for Kuruvilla started last month when 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 V.S. Achuthanandan then asked Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran to look into the matter. Rajendran in turn directed Idukki collector Raju Narayana Swamy to probe and submit a report.
The probe report indicated Kuruvilla’s involvement in allegedly corrupt dealings.
“We are in no way protecting Kuruvilla but since more inquiries are needed we opted to recommend a judicial probe by a sitting high court judge who will be given three months’ time to submit the report,” said Viswom.
Asked if George was thrown out because he publicised a corrupt deal, Viswom said he was never in, so the question of booting him out did not arise.
Meanwhile, George said he has always spoken as an humble worker of the Kerala Congress (Secular) and all LDF workers know what his position is.