Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac has accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) of fishing in muddy waters in connection with the attack on T.J. Joseph, a professor with the Thodupuzha Newman College.
Talking to reporters here on Saturday, Mr. Isaac said the allegation leveled by Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani that there were efforts on to sabotage the progress of the investigation into the case and the demand raised by UDF convener P.P. Thankachen that Mr. Joseph’s family should be given financial assistance, pointed to the fact that the UDF was trying to wrest some sort of political mileage from the issue.
The UDF had joined hands with the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI) during the previous by-polls and the SDPI had publicly campaigned for UDF candidates during the polls. It was to cover up this that Mr. Mani was levelling baseless allegations, the Minister said. As for Mr. Thankachen’s demand, the Government had allowed a financial assistance of Rs.4 lakh to Mr. Joseph’s family towards treatment expenses within days of the attack on him. The Government would also consider extending more help if the need be. There was no need of any recommendation from Mr. Thankachen for this, Mr. Isaac added.
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