LDF, UDF nexus in Kerala

LDF, UDF nexus in Kerala
By Kavalam Sashikumar

At last the ugly faces of both the political fronts?ruling and Opposition stands unmasked in front of the people of Kerala. Ruling front alleged that the earlier regime caused a huge loss of Rs 375 crore from the Exchequer by dealing with a Canadian agency, SNC Lavlin, and appointing them consultants in various power generation projects.

A major corruption charge was levelled against the then power minister Pinarayi Vijayan. His explanation given was not found satisfactory to the then Opposition, UDF. The allegation was that while selecting the SNC Lavlin as consulting agency, Shri Vijayan received Rs 69 crore as commission. But, while explaining his stand he said the commission, which the Canadian company offered, was for humanitarian activity and he had channelised the amount concerned in favour of the State Co-operative Hospital, Thallachery, which is in his constituency.

But the Oppostion was not satisfied with the answer and they announced that they would enquire into all aspects of the Lavlin deal if they were voted to power.

But the interesting story is that the UDF government kept mum on the case all these days and on the eve of the local body elections and the forthcoming Assembly election, the UDF government revived the case. The real motive behind this move by Oomen Chandy, the Chief Minister, is that the then power minister, Pinarayi Vijayan is the

State Secretary of CPM and he is the chief ministerial candidate of the LDF.

The unexpected move by the CM rattled the plans of the Opposition. To overcome the hurdle the CPM made a futile attempt by raising allegations against the entire ministry and ministers individually on the floor of the Assembly. The Opposition levelled big corruption charges against six ministers of Oommen Chandy. They selected very consciously the ministries and ministers and alleged around Rs 500 crore was involved in these dealings. Though these allegations have not been substantiated with black and white evidence, they are sufficient to keep the ministers under suspicion in the eyes of the people.

Now there are so many questions on the lips of the people of Kerala. Why did the UDF government withdraw the pamoline case which caused loss of so many crores of rupees against the former CM and Congress leader K. Karunakaran? Why did the Opposition party, which initiated the case against Karunakaran, support the move? Why did the Left Front that called T.M. Jacob and R. Balakrishna Pillai corrupt, now keep them in their friend circle? People still suspects that these former ministers committed serious offences while they were in their respective ministries. The real political question is: Why had the ruling UDF Government done nothing in the Lavlin case for the last four years and what type of enquiry or action are are being taken against the allegation by the Opposition?

During the discussion of the no confidence motion both the fronts exposed each other. At least 10 corruption charges were levelled on the floor of the House. Both the fronts didn'tdemand nor press for a CBI enquiry and the Ruling Front did not dare to announce a Central enquiry. Because both of them are very well aware that all are in the game. Now the common man realises that both the political fronts are corrupt and they are trying to shield each other.