LDF bid to poll-axe UDF

Arjun Raghunath First Published : 04 Jun 2010 03:08:52 AM ISTLast Updated : 04 Jun 2010 11:29:16 AM IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet decision to constitute a 70-member special investigation unit of the Vigilance the other day seems to be a step to trap seven senior UDF leaders against whom Vigilance inquiry has been pending.
With only 11 more months for the Assembly elections, the move of the LDF Govt has raised eyebrows.
Right from KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, prominent leaders of most of the coalition partners in the UDF are facing Vigilance probe. The decision to expedite the probe into the pending cases might be an attempt to sharpen weapons to fight the UDF in the ensuing Assembly polls, sources said. It is learnt the decision was taken in accordance with a decision taken by the CPM.
Vigilance probe is pending against ex-Public Works Minister M K Muneer and U C Raman MLA (both IUML), Kerala Congress (M) leader and former Revenue Minister K M Mani and Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader and former Water Resources Minister T M Jacob.
The probe against Ramesh Chennithala pertains to the allegation that he had accepted Rs 10 crore from Himalaya Chit Fund while serving as MP. The LDF Government had ordered the probe in 2007. Adoor Prakash is facing a probe in connection with the alleged irregularities in allotting ration depots during the tenure of the UDF Government. The alleged irregularity in the purchase of computers using SC/ST fund is haunting M A Kuttappan.
The allegation against M K Muneer is that he had flouted norms and sanctioned about Rs 150 lakh for the construction of a road at Manjeri. T M Jacob is said to have caused a loss of over Rs 2 crore to the exchequer by introducing a contractors-own-material system.
Mani was accused of collecting Rs 100 cr from the public, including NRKs, for Palazhi Tyres Ltd which he later scuttled.
U C Raman is said to have amassed wealth to the tune of Rs 7 lakh disproportionate to his known sources of income.