Kerala: Chennithala seeks Sitaram Yechury's response over CM Vijayan's 'Consultancy Raj'

Kerala Leer of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala has written to CPI-M National General Secretary Sitaram Yechury highlighting 'corruption, nepotism and or illegal activities' under Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government in Kerala. Congress leers also apprised CPI-M chief about gold smuggling scandal which has alleged links with Kerala Chief Minister's Office. Chennithala 'regretfully' stated that Yechury's silence on crucial issues related to functioning of government is 'deafening.'

Chennithala, in his letter to Yechury, wrote, " series of events related to corruption, nepotism and criminalisation of state ministration has w culminated in exposure of a long-running smuggling racket using diplomatic channels with deep links to Chief Minister's office." 

Apart from gold smuggling case, Chennithala pin-pointed 6 decisions which Chief Minister has taken while 'keeping Cabinet in dark' and are 'unilateral and authoritarian' in nature. se include decision to eng Sprinklr to collect health-related data, 'E-mobility project' which Chennithala claimed is a 'backdoor entry of Price Waterhouse Coopers,' entry of KPMG as a project consultant for Rebuild Kerala Initiative and ors. 

"It is clear that Shri Vijayan has introduced 'Consultancy Raj' in state. International funding ncies such as World Bank are calling shots, with government carrying out ir diktats," Congress leer wrote. 

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'-confidence motion'

Congress party on Friday moved a -confidence motion against Pinarayi Vijayan-led government in Kerala in backdrop of Gold Smuggling case. In letter dressed to Secretary of Kerala Legislative Assembly, Congress leer V. D. Saesan re that Congress-led UDF expresses ' confidence' in CPI(M) led government in state ding that y would want to move a resolution against Pinarayi Government in Kerala assembly. 

This comes shortly after Congress-led UDF demanded resignation of Chief Minister after role of top bureaucrats and government officials including ex-principal Secretary was exposed in Kerala Gold smuggling case. 

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NIA continues investigation

NIA h took over case after Centre's d on July 9. investigative ncy will probe wher gold smuggling was linked to activities detrimental to national security. ncy has slapped various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 against accused — Sarith Kumar, Swapna Suresh, Fazil Fareed, Sandeep Nair — in case. Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair have been sent to NIA custody for eight days. NIA has moved Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to issue a Blue Corner tice against Faizal Fareed. 

During a hearing, NIA informed special court that Suresh and Nair forged seal and emblem of UAE Embassy to commit crime. Moreover, it argued that smuggled gold was t used for jewellery purpose, but for terror activities. Suresh and Nair shall remain in NIA custody till July 21.

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