Kerala BJP awaits Raja's decision

Thiruvananthapuram: For the second day, when the Lok Sabha witnessed noisy scenes on the medical college scam, state BJP leaders were busy with unofficial talks on how to handle the crucial meetings scheduled for Saturday. BJP national secretary H. Raja who holds the charge of the state told DC that only after the core committee meeting and the state office-bearers meeting a decision will be taken on whether state president Kummanam Rajasekharan will be summoned to New Delhi or not. 

While the top BJP national leaders have been tightlipped for the second consecutive day, state leaders are anticipating serious ramifications. Majority of the top state leaders have been holding talks over the phone and chalking out a strategy on how to get rid of the embarrassment they have duly awarded to the national leadership.

"We can't just walk away from this issue as if nothing has happened. Damage has already been done. When a faction within the state BJP wanted to tarnish the image of a certain leader, they did not realise the intensity of the ramifications that has put the central BJP leadership also in the wrong foot", said a senior BJP leader. 

BJP state general secretary M.T. Ramesh who has come under a cloud of smoke on the medical scam reiterated to DC that a conspiracy has been hatched by the rival group to defame him. It was alleged in the enquiry commission report that Ramesh was approached by a Kozhikode native Dr. Nazar to get the recognition of Kerala Medical College at Cherpulassery, which had been initially cancelled by the Medical Council of India.

"Yes, I will be taking this issue before the core committee meeting on Saturday. After the outcome of the two meetings which includes the state office-bearers meeting, I will then raise the issue before Amit Shah", said Ramesh. 

However, state leaders are hoping that Kummanam will not be removed as it will send out the message to the opposition in the state as well as in the national level that Kerala BJP leaders have resorted to corruption.

Also, they feel that it will enable the rival faction led by former state president V. Muraleedh-aran to get an edge, which Amit Shah is unlikely to endorse. 

Raja who has already landed in the state told DC that BJP's stand has always been against corruption. He tried to belittle the medical college scam by claiming that already action has been taken against R. S.  Vinod, BJP co-operative cell convener who took a bribe of Rs 5.60 crore  from S.R. medical college and research centre at Varkala. "We will take stock of the situation at the two meetings on Saturday. Accordingly, we will decide on the future course of action. I can't say whether Kummanam will be called to Delhi. Let's wait until Saturday", said Raja.

The crucial core committee and state office bearers meetings will take place at Hotel Capitol here at 8.30 am and 10.30 am respectively.