Kerala: Opposition Demands Resignation of Vijayan as Daughter's Name Surfaces in SFIO Accusations
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Synopsis
Thiruvananthapuram, April 3 (NationPress) The Congress and BJP have called for the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after his daughter, Veena, was named in an SFIO charge sheet. Allegations include receiving illegal payments for mining sanctions from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd.
Key Takeaways
- Veena Vijayan implicated in SFIO charge sheet.
- Congress and BJP demand Vijayan's resignation.
- Statewide protests planned by Congress.
- Allegations of bribes linked to CMRL and Exalogic.
- Leader of Opposition calls for immediate action.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 3 (NationPress) Following the appearance of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter Veena Vijayan in the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) charge sheet as an accused for allegedly accepting illegal payments amounting to Rs 2.70 crores from Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) for mining sanctions, both the Congress and the BJP have called for Vijayan’s resignation.
The Congress party has announced a statewide protest on Friday demanding Vijayan's resignation.
According to an official, the charge sheet has been presented to the special court addressing economic offences in Kochi, indicating that the funds were transferred to Veena’s now-defunct IT company Exalogic located in Bengaluru.
Veena is listed as the second accused in the SFIO charge sheet, which also includes both CMRL and Exalogic, along with CMRL’s managing director Sasidharan Kartha and others.
State Congress chief K. Sudhakaran stated that Vijayan lacks the moral authority to remain as Chief Minister after his daughter has been implicated.
“The decision regarding Vijayan's resignation should be discussed at the ongoing 24th CPI-M Party Congress in Madurai. If the Congress fails to make the right call about Vijayan stepping down, it could signal the start of the CPI-M's decline,” Sudhakaran remarked.
Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan emphasized that with the country's leading agency identifying Veena as an accused, Vijayan has no moral standing to continue in office and must resign.
“Since this case emerged, the Congress has been relentless, and now it is time for Vijayan to go. The ongoing Congress in Madurai must address this issue,” Satheesan added.
Senior Congress legislator Ramesh Chennithala accused Vijayan of using his daughter to facilitate the bribe, insisting he must resign promptly.
“The Madurai Party Congress should now seek a successor for Vijayan,” Chennithala concluded.
Meanwhile, the BJP has declared plans for a protest against Vijayan.
