Kerala MP Questions CM Vijayan's Meeting with FM Sitharaman Amid SFIO Investigation
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Synopsis
N.K. Premachandran, a senior Opposition MP from Kerala, criticized CM Pinarayi Vijayan's defense of an 'informal' meeting with FM Nirmala Sitharaman, especially in light of an ongoing SFIO investigation into the CM's daughter's IT firm.
Key Takeaways
- Criticism of CM Vijayan's meeting with FM Sitharaman.
- Concerns over the term 'informal' in a government setting.
- Link to ongoing SFIO investigation into the CM's daughter.
- Allegations of political double standards by CPI-M.
- Comments from Congress legislator hint at CPI-M-BJP ties.
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, March 18 (NationPress) Veteran Opposition Lok Sabha member from Kerala, N.K. Premachandran, criticized Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his justification of the ‘informal’ meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last week, which also included Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar.
In a conversation with IANS, the MP raised concerns about the term ‘informal’, given that the meeting was held at the Kerala House and involved the use of government resources.
“Informal means when a meeting occurs without prior scheduling and is conducted in a private venue or during an event. This was a breakfast meeting coinciding with a time when the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (under Sitharaman) is scrutinizing deals involving Vijayan’s daughter’s IT firm,” Premachandran remarked.
He found it amusing that CM Vijayan claimed in the Kerala Assembly that it was merely a “friendly conversation”.
CM Vijayan further stated that he holds his own political views, as do the Governor and FM Sitharaman, adding that political beliefs do not diminish through such a meeting.
“I strongly object to this because I was targeted by the youth wing of the CPI-M and its leaders when Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited several MPs for a meal at the Parliament canteen after the previous Lok Sabha session. I was among those invited and attended,” he expressed.
“During the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign, I faced humiliation from the CPI-M and its supporters, who claimed that I would join the BJP and be appointed as a Union Minister after the elections.”
“Why was I attacked for attending a meeting called by the PM? When CPI-M leaders participate in such meetings, they claim there’s no erosion, but when I do, they fabricate false narratives,” Premachandran added.
Meanwhile, veteran Congress legislator Ramesh Chennithala criticized CM Vijayan in the Assembly, suggesting that this ‘informal’ meeting was a precursor to a closer alliance between the CPI-M and the BJP.
