Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 13 (IANS) With his Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) having turned down his offer to quit after his name figured in a land scam, Kerala’s Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan said he will take his final decision when the charge sheet is filed in court.

“I will make the appropriate decision once the charge sheet is filed and I assure you that I will not be like a few ministers in the present government, who cling on to their post. I have already informed my party about everything,” Achuthanandan told reporters at his official residence here.

The veteran CPI-M leader was responding to demands made by several ruling front leaders that he has no option but to quit his present post.

At the press conference, Achuthanandan read out from a three-page text and did not take more than three questions.

He said he was quite aware that he would have to face the wrath of his political opponents because he has taken a tough stand against the “mafia” against him.

“But none can stop me by trapping me in false cases,” he asserted.

Achuthanandan, named prime accused in a land transfer case by the state vigilance department, is learned to have spoken to CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat and conveyed that he wished to step down as leader of opposition. However, the offer has been turned down.

Addressing reporters in Delhi, party politburo member Sitaram Yechury Friday said this is a clear case of victimisation and vindictiveness.

“Our party has seen similar cases in the past and we will deal with it,” said Yechury.

The vigilance department, after a preliminary inquiry, recommended that the veteran leader be arraigned as the first of the eight accused.

The charges are ready and would be filed before a court in Kozhikode Friday, informed sources said.

The investigating team has named four Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officials, including the then principal secretary to Achuthanandan, Sheela Thomas, as accused in the case.

The others in the list include the then revenue minister and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader K.P. Rajendran, besides Suresh, the personal assistant to Achuthanandan.

In June last year, the Oommen Chandy government, after examining all files related to the land transfer to Achuthanandan’s relative T.K. Soman, ordered a probe by the vigilance department.

The cabinet also decided to cancel the land allotment in Kasargode district involving Soman, a former defence official. The alleged land transfer took place at the fag end of Achuthanandan’s tenure as the chief minister.

According to government norms, when land is given to people in the defence category, it should not exceed more than an acre. But Soman was given 2.33 acres.

Several ruling United Democratic Front leaders have demanded action against Achuthanandan.

“Achuthanandan was one person who in his personal capacity approached the apex court on more than one occasion on corruption cases against our leaders. So in all fairness, he also should do the same in the present corruption case against him that has now surfaced and not say that this is a politically vindictive action against him,” said Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed.

Forest Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar said Achuthanandan was one person who used to do research on how to trap his political adversaries.

Ganesh Kumar’s father and former minister R. Balakrishna Pillai had to serve a year in jail last year following a case pursued by Achuthanandan.

“Since I am not a person who does anything to harm others, I have nothing to say,” said Kumar.