Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac has accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) of muddying the waters in connection with the attack on T.J. Joseph, a professor with the Thodupuzha Newman College.
Talking to presspersons here on Saturday, Mr. Isaac said Kerala Congress(M) leader K.M. Mani's allegation that attempts were on to sabotage the progress of the investigation into the case and UDF convener P.P. Thankachan's demand that Mr. Joseph's family be given financial assistance pointed to the fact that the UDF was trying to wrest political mileage from the issue.
The UDF had joined hands with the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI) during the previous bypolls and the SDPI had publicly campaigned for the UDF candidates. It was to cover up this that Mr. Mani was levelling baseless allegations, Dr. Isaac said.
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As for Mr. Thankachan'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 need be. There was no need for any recommendation from Mr. Thankachan regarding this, Dr. Isaac said.