Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala has called for a comprehensive and credible probe into the allegations linking the Chief Minister’s office to the accused arrested in the Nedumbassery gold smuggling since the charges are affecting the party.
Addressing a press conference at the Neyyar Dam guest house, near here on Thursday, Mr. Chennithala said the charges against the Chief Minister were mere speculation at this point of time and that it was left to the government to decide on the nature of the probe. The press conference was convened to brief media persons about the new building complex of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies to be inaugurated by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday.
He wanted the government to be serious about handling the gold smuggling and human trafficking cases in the light of news reports in recent times about the increase in such activities through the State’s airports.
Sonia to meet leaders
He said the Congress president would hold her customary discussions with leaders of United Democratic Front (UDF) partners during her stay in the State capital. ‘‘She normally holds discussions with leaders during her visit to the State. Her visit will give a stimulus to the UDF’s preparations for the Lok Sabha elections,’’ he said.
Mr. Ramesh said there was nothing wrong in the Indian Union Muslim League launching its own election campaign. The Congress party had also finalised its election campaign. It was his considered opinion that each of the UDF constituents should go ahead by launching similar election campaigns.
With regard to the emergence of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the BJP’s Prime Minister candidate, Mr. Ramesh said the people of Kerala would not accept Mr. Modi’s politics since it was rooted in communalism and sectarianism.
