C F Thomas lays store by proper probe into charges
Finance Minister K M Mani. (Photo: DC/File)
KOTTAYAM: Kerala Congress (M) deputy chairman and party probe panel convener C F Thomas has said there is no clue to a political conspiracy behind hotelier Biju Ramesh’s allegations against party chairman and Finance Minister K M Mani.
“There must have been a conspiracy. But whether it is political or not is a matter of conjecture. Our internal probe committee will meet before the steering committee on November 18 and strategise on the probe”, Mr Thomas told Deccan Chronicle.
“But charges levelled against the party leader are equally an affront to the party. We are treating this with all seriousness it deserves”, said Mr Thomas, who represents Changanachery in the Assembly.
The announcement of the committee and the pace of the probe lend the impression that the party is not overly concerned about the conspiracy angle and is in no hurry to expose it. Perhaps it can be a convenient tool should there be a showdown with the ruling UDF. For now, such a scenario is far-fetched.
However, some party leaders suspect the role of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and confidantes in the bargate. This was reflected in Mr Antony Raju’s comment, calling Mr Thomas’ remarks “personal”, implying it was not the party stand.
“We are convinced of a political conspiracy behind allegations. We know who worked behind it. However, the party has decided not to come out with any comment for now”, said a top party leader.
“Our future course of action will be on the basis of the inquiry committee’s report”, he added. The party leader denied the charge that KC (M) nurtured hopes of a crossover to the LDF.
According to sources close to the LDF, the KC (M) still pursues the prospect of a tie-up with LDF after the bargate dies down.
“They hope to reach an understanding with LDF within the next couple of months. They would then harp on the conspiracy as sufficient reason to part ways with the UDF”, an LDF constituent leader said.
Even though CPM is firm on its demand for court-monitored SIT probe into bribe charges against Finance Minister K M Mani, most constituents believe that as a first step pressure should be mounted on the government to register a FIR against the Kerala Congress leader.
The LDF strategy will be finalised at its meeting to be held soon. Though the front leadership was scheduled to meet at AKG Centre here on Monday, the meeting had to be cancelled as most leaders had gone to Kannur to pay their last respects to CMP leader M V Raghavan who died on Sunday.
“I have reached here today. I am getting in touch with the leaders of other parties to finalise the date,"said LDF Convenor Vaikom Viswan.
“There is no question of allowing UDF to wriggle out of the present situation. UDF is neck deep in corruption. Nobody can help the ruling front coming out of the present crisis,’’ CPM politburo member M A Baby who was returning from Kannur, told DC.
When asked about the delay in opposition hitting the streets against Mani on the bribe issue, the CPM leader; “We have no intention to delay the agitation against Mani. But the LDF will have to meet first to take a decision,’’ he added.
A section of LDF leaders believe that vigilance would be forced to register FIR against Mani as per Supreme Court ruling in Lalita Kumari vs State of UP case only if Left mobilise people to mount pressure on the government. They said the vigilance was planning to delay the probe indefinitely on the pretext of quick verification.
Legal experts say quick verification need not go beyond one week since all that the investigating officials have to verify is whether the allegations levelled are of serious nature. The preliminary inquiry is not meant for checking the veracity of the compliant which should be left to proper investigation.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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