CM Pinarayi Vijayan refutes settling scores with K M Shajahan

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday refuted allegations that he was targeting K M Shajahan to settle personal scores. However, the chief minister made a controversial statement suggesting that had he been vindictive against Shajahan, action could have been taken against him when government came to power.

“Eleven months have passed since this government came to power. As you people allege even for a moment if we believe there is personal enmity, then action should have been taken by now. Did we take any action against him so far ? Even if he created situations warranting action, did we do that? Why don't you people examine these things?” he asked Pinarayi said Shajahan had got a new guardian in former chief minister Oommen Chandy.

Why was I jailed? Shajahan asks Pinarayi
K M Shajahan, who was released on bail on Tuesdsay, asked chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to clarify why did he shut him in jail for a week. Shajahan, private secretary to former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan, said he was in front of DGP's office for just 10 minutes. “I saw Mahija and another woman being pinned down to the ground. When the cops bundled Shajar Khan into a waiting jeep, I questioned them. When I told them that I was former private secretary to Achuthanandan, they said you too get in," Shajahan.

Shajahan said Pinarayi has been nursing enmity against him for the past 17 years since he raised allegations in connection with SNC Lavalin case. “ I was with Achuthanandan and played a role in making him popular. Pinarayi wanted to be CM in 2006 but it didn’t happen. I was expelled by the party. I have written half a dozen articles in Janashakti magazine on the SNC Lavalin issue. I prepared an affidavit citing the role of Pinarayi in the corruption case. I went to High Court, argued in person and secured a favourable verdict," he said. “I am not surprised at Pinarayi’s revengeful attitude,” Shajahan said.