Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the United Democratic Front (UDF) are going out of the way to protect Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, who is facing renewed charges in the Suryanelli case.
Mr. Balakrishnan was addressing the 21st annual meeting of the pro-CPI(M) Teachers’ Organisation of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) at the College of Horticulture Auditorium here on Saturday.
‘‘Mr. Chandy and the UDF are seeking the counsel of the Advocate-General and the Director-General of Prosecution, who is a member of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). Why cannot they pray for a clarification from the Supreme Court? No one is taking the initiative to record the statement of the victim in the case. The truth is that nothing can protect Mr. Kurien,’’ he said.
He said that the government’s alleged attempts to beat up protesters, including youth and members of the All-India Janadhipadya Mahila Association, would not suppress the case.
He criticised a move to transfer 30 acres of land owned by the Kerala Agricultural University for setting up a coconut biopark.
‘‘Earlier, there were attempts to transfer 43 acres of prime land owned by Calicut University to other hands. Given a chance, these people will even sell the universities,’’ he added.
