The incumbent government in Kerala has the responsibility to tell the public about the measures they have taken to book those accused in being involved with corruption, sex scandals, illegal land transaction and goonda menace, Defence Minister and Congress Working Committee member A.K. Antony has said.
Addressing a meet-the-leader programme organised by the Kozhikode Press Club, here, on Sunday, Mr. Antony challenged Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan to present valid figures of registered cases, arrests and punishments made during the term of the Left Democratic Front-led government in Kerala before trying to counter the stern stance taken by the Union government in grilling the guilty.
The senior Congress leader pointed out that the Union government was stringent in initiating legal actions against all those who were accused of having involvement in notorious scams and shady deals. He said the actions taken against those involved in the 2G spectrum case and Adarsh scam were just examples to prove the honest stance of the Congress-led government at the Centre.
According to Mr. Antony, only governments having ideological congruity both at the Centre and State would be able to contribute together for the welfare of the people. It was just the conflicting stance taken by the LDF government that spoiled the take off of several Central projects in Kerala, he claimed.
The Congress leader also alleged inefficiency on the part of the incumbent government stating that “Kerala failed to utilise a huge amount of central funds for productive purposes during the rein of LDF.” He said the Kuttanad and Idukki packages were just examples for this irresponsible administration.
Referring to the “anti-development tendencies” prevailing in West Bengal, Mr. Antony said “the jobless youngsters of that State were now migrating to Kerala for a standard living.” The increasing number of such youths in Kerala is uncovering the piteous situation of the present West Bengal, he added.
According to Mr. Antony, the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidates in Kerala would come out with a thumping victory in the forthcoming assembly elections as there were hardly any anti-union government campaigners. He said the attempts of the Bharatiya Janata Party to open its account in Kerala would remain a distant dream.
