Kerala CM questions Unnikrishnan Potty’s meeting with with Sonia Gandhi

Kerala chief Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that the main accused in the Sabarimala gold robbery case, Unnikrishnan Potty, at first entered the house of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

Addressing the media here on Thursday, Pinarayi Vijayan asked where Unnikrishnan Potty first entered; how can a big scamster like Unnikrishan Potty reach the house of Sonia Gandhi. UDF convenor Adoor Prakash says he had no role in the meeting between Sonia Gandhi and Unnikrishnan Potty, CM Vijayan said and asked is he the person who should go if Potty calls?

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Regarding former devaswom minister Kadakampally Surenran’s interrogation by the SIT in Sabarimala gold loot case, Vijayan said he was being questioned for getting clarity on the case.

Pinarayi Vijayan said neither the Chief Minister nor his office has interfered in any way with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the gold loot case. There is no point in replying to those who have made it a habit to raise allegations. The SIT is performing its duties well so far., he said.

The CM said that there was nothing wrong in taking SNDP General Secretary Vellappally Natesan in his official car. “Pinarayi Vijayan is not Binoy Viswam,” he said, adding that he has his own stand and that he still does not feel it was wrong in taking Natesan in his official vehicle. There arose widespread criticism against CM Vijayan for taking Natesan in his official vehicle to the Global Ayyappa Sangamam venue in Pamba recently.

When reporters asked Binoy Viswam whether he would let Vellappally Natesan travel with him in his car, the CPI state secretary said he would not.

Since Natesan’s recent remarks about minorities had triggered controversy in the state, the CM’s decision drew sharp criticism from various quarters, with the CPI reportedly being particularly upset.

A war of words erupted on Wednesday between CPI Kerala secretary Binoy Viswam and SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan, with the latter labeling the CPI as “betrayers.”

The CPI state secretary hit back at the SNDP Yogam leader, saying the label of betrayers does not fit the CPI but suits Natesan “a thousand times more.”

At its state secretariat and state executive meetings held the other day, the CPI concluded that strong anti-incumbency against the state government is the key factor behind the LDF’s local body poll defeat. Members stated that certain positions taken by the CM on some issues had raised doubts among the public regarding the government’s true intentions. They specifically highlighted CPM’s soft approach and CM’s silence over SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan’s communally charged remarks.

“It is not right to justify the act of the SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan accompanying the CM in the latter’s car. People now have serious doubts about the CM’s intentions,” many leaders said.