THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the government all set to launch anti encroachment drive in Idukki district, CPM leaders and power minister M.M. Mani have distanced themselves from the alleged encroachments of the latter's brother M.M. Lambodaran. The preliminary list prepared by the revenue department on the big encroachers in Idukki district also figure Lambodaran. He is accused of encroaching 250 acres in Chinnakanal village. However, the minister has denied any knowledge of his brother's encroachment.
"He is into farming, plantation and business. I have no idea about encroachments but if he is possessing land illegally then let the authorities take action against him. There is law of the land, let it work stringently. But don't try to corner me in his name," Mani said while replying to questions from journalists on Lambodaran's encroachment. Mani said Lambodaran was his younger brother but he is also leading an independent life. "He is into business. I am into public service," he added.
On his part, Lambodaran continues to maintain that barring 3.98 acres of land there is no other piece of land possessed by him. "Where is the 250 acres which I have been accused of acquiring through fake pattayam ? I challenge to prove these charges," he asked during a channel show. Meanwhile, CPM central committee member A Vijayaraghavan said he was not aware of land encroached by Lambodaran. "Lambodaran is not a party member. He has no connection with the party" he said.
The CPM leadership has denied any link with Lambodaran who was Rajakkad area secretary many years ago. Sources in Idukki, however, said that officials in Idukki never dared to touch Lambodaran because of his high connections. While the revenue department has put Lambodaran on the list of encroachers but the big question is will the government be able to take action against him?
