Kerala's Thomas Isaac accuses Central Probe agencies of undermining govt amid CAG row

Amid the row over the CAG's (Comptroller and Auditor General of India) report, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, on November 19, accused the central probe agencies of collectively trying to undermine the Kerala government. Calling the political move "shrewd", the finance minister said the state government will face all the probe agencies with regards to the CAG reports allegations.

"I am convinced that this is a part of a concerted move of central agencies like ED, CBI, NIA to undermine the Kerala govt. This is a shrewd political move. We will face it", Isaac was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

On Saturday Isaac held a press conference, accusing the BJP-led Centre and the UDF of 'sabotaging' the developmental activities in Kerala, and claimed that they were misusing central agencies and Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). 

"Vested-interest parties are using the CAG for destroying Kerala's developmental projects. Congress and BJP are engaged in a big conspiracy against the developmental activities in Kerala with the support of the central government," he said.

The leader has dismissed the CAG's findings which suggest that the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) was raising loans "unconstitutionally."

READ | CAG report on KIIFB: Thomas Isaac alleges conspiracy against Kerala

READ | CAG row: BJP alleges Kerala Govt used KIIFB as its source of income; calls for CBI probe

Opposition demands Isaac's resignation over CAG report

Meanwhile, Congress and BJP have demanded a resignation from Isaac alleging that he had 'violated' the constitution by disclosing the report on the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) before the Assembly.

"I have given a letter to the Kerala speaker demanding action against the violation by Finance Minister Thomas Isaac. We are demanding his immediate resignation. The final report of the CAG is sent to the finance secretary who in a sealed cover sends it to the governor. Once approved by the governor, the FM tables it in the Assembly. This is the process followed. But the Kerala FM has subverted all this and has leaked the CAG report by saying it's a draft. No Finance Minister in the country has done such a blatant violation," said Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala. 

Furthermore, BJP state president K Surendran has also slammed Isaac for leaking the CAG audit report, alleging that he was trying to create a 'Centre-state divide.' "We urge the chief minister to drop him from the Cabinet. He's trying to create a Centre-state divide. He has to explain why he misled the public?" asked Surendran. 

READ | Gold-smuggling case: Central agencies being used to target LDF govt in Kerala, alleges CPI(M)

READ | 5,722 new covid cases in Kerala, toll reaches 1,969 with 26 fatalities

(With ANI inputs)