New Delhi: The CPM's Kerala unit has reportedly asked Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan to step down.
The demand comes after Achuthanandan opposed a cabinet decision not to prosecute CPM State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan in the SNC Lavlin corruption case.
The demand for disciplinary action was backed by all state ministers, and was only opposed by the central observer.
The politically-sensitive case pertained to alleged corruption in awarding contract to Canadian firm SNC Lavalin for renovation of three hydro power stations when Vijayan was power minister in 1997.
According to the media reports, the CPM state secretariat wanted the cabinet, headed by Achuthanandan, to accept the advice of Advocate General C P Sudhakara Prasad, which held there was no legal ground to grant sanction to prosecute Vijayan in the case as sought by the CBI, which probed it.
A section of the media also reported that the party forum, under the firm control of Vijayan, had over-ruled reservations voiced by Achuthanandan.
CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat, who attended the meeting, told reporters on Sunday that it was for the cabinet and not for the party to take a decision on the issue.
Achuthanandan and Vijayan are long-time rivals and the two most important CPM leaders in Kerala.
Comments
0 comment