Thiruvananthapuram: Industry Minister P. K. Kunhalikutty has threatened to sue Opposition leader V. S. Achuthanandan over comments linking him to sex rackets even as Solar scam key accused Saritha Nair dropped her move to proceed against Opposition leader V. S. Achuthanandan for “outraging her modesty” through personal remarks.
In Kozhikode, Kunhalikutty reacted sharply to Achuthanandan’s branding him with sex racket on Saturday, saying he would initiate legal proceedings.
Achuthanandan should first set his house in order, said Kunhalikutty, indirectly referring to reports about estrangement among the Opposition leader’s family members.
Saritha's lawyer Feny Balakrishnan, who met Saritha at Attakulangara jail, here, told the media during the day that she handed over her complaint to advocate Shibu on Friday and the latter would lodge the FIR with Ernakulam North police station on Sunday.
Complaints were against Achuthanandan, BJP leader K Surendran, husband Biju Radhakrishnan and his counsel, Jacob Mathew, and Ernakulam additional chief judicial magistrate N. V. Raju.
But late at night, Feny Balakrishnan said his client was dropping plaints against Achuthanandan and Surendran. Latest developments were triggered by statements made by the main accused, Biju Radhakrishnan, and his lawyer Jacob Mathew that they had video footage linking Saritha Nair and three ministers, including a Union minister.
Earlier this week, Mahthew told media persons that Saritha had recorded scenes herself, using a pen camera, and the footage was taken over by Biju Radhakrishan. Reacting to Saritha’s complaint, he said their job had been made easier as the footage would be presented as evidence in court.
Achuthanandan lapped up the video footage allegations and repeated them at a press conference, accusing Chief Minister Oommen Chandy of shielding his buddies.
Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan dared those had the video footage to release it rather than issue threats.
Next: Achuthanandan snipes at League for tempting LDF
Achuthanandan snipes at League for tempting LDF
Kozhikode: Opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan couldn’t afford to wait for more clarity on Muslim League’s next move that he has dismissed any truck with the “communal-minded” party or the possibility of the Left Democratic Front collaborating with it.
“None of those aware of the LDF and its programmes will back League’s entry”, Achuthanandan said in reply to questions at a press conference here on Saturday. On the face of it, he was reiterating the party’s strategic and principled formulation to keep away from communal parties.
But Achuthanandan suspects his party’s bosses in Kannur may be already in secret, though unofficial talks with League leaders, especially industry minister P.K. Kunhalikutty.
That led him to target Kunhalikutty: “Kunhalikutty is a key person in the sex racket. This case could not be buried even after he bribed girls he had sexually exploited and struck a compromise. We are not ready for any tie-up with the League. The apex court’s latest stand in (the sex racket) case is welcome”, he said.
The League has of late witnessed demands within to break off with the Congress-led United Democratic Front. He views these as part of efforts by the League to distance from the Congress, not a hot favourite for the next Lok Sabha elections, and strike an equation with the CPM.
The League could justify it, citing the unity of the Left and democratic forces at the national level to checkmate the saffron brigade.
A section of leaders in the CPM and League thinks the political alliance between the two parties is a sure shot at electoral success, paving the way for a long political innings.
The grassroots-level tactical understanding between the parties at the local council elections a few years ago was a dress rehearsal. But Achuthanandan snuffed it out with the help of the central leaders. It’s suicidal for him to let his sworn enemies sleep in the same tent.
