Palarivattom flyover case: LDF, UDF clash over Ibrahim Kunju’s arrest

The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition on Wednesday clashed over the arrest of former Kerala Minister and IUML chief Ibrahim Kunju on suspicion of corruption within the development of the now decommissioned flyover bridge at Palarivattom in Kochi.

Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala rallied behind Mr. Kunju. He alleged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had “prevailed” on the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to arrest the IUML chief for diverting public consideration from the a number of investigations by Central legislation enforcement businesses into the “criminal profiteering and nepotism” on the apex of the federal government.

So far, the Pinarayi authorities had prosecuted three UDF legislators in a bid to alter the present political narrative to the benefit of the LDF within the native physique polls in December. More had been on its “hit-list”, he alleged.

Mr. Vijayan had “attempted to use the power of the State” in opposition to political opponents. He had threatened to throw the guide at a number of UDF leaders primarily based on “invented charges”.

The Crime Branch had arrested Kasargode MLA M.C. Kamaruddin of the IUML on “trumped-up” prices of dishonest after his enterprise crashed.

The VACB was investigating Azhikode MLA K.M. Shaji, additionally of the IUML, on a “politically motivated complaint”. LDF convener A. Vijayaraghavan had threatened to jail at the very least 12 UDF legislators within the run-up to the Assembly elections in mid-2021.

Chandy assaults LDF

Former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee member Oommen Chandy claimed Mr. Kunju had merely “extended an advance fund” to the builder to expedite the development of the bridge to ease visitors congestion in Kochi.

Such administrative motion was the norm for many governments. Moreover, the LDF had not black listed the contractor and continued to have interaction the agency for finishing up different public works, he charged.

Mr. Chandy mentioned the LDF had “foisted the case” on Mr. Kunju by shrugging off a suggestion by the High Court to conduct a load take a look at on the flyover to gauge its security.

IUML leaders meet

The IUML management met in Malappuram to take inventory of the state of affairs. IUML chief P. K. Kunhalikutty mentioned that Mr. Kunju’s arrest was a “plot by the government” to divert public consideration away from its personal “failings”. Mr. Kunhalikutty mentioned Mr. Kunju had merely given administrative sanction for the undertaking. He had answered the summons issued by the VACB and replied to their questions. There was no authorized floor to arrest Mr. Kunju, he claimed and added that the UDF chief was the sufferer of a “political witch-hunt”.

BJP slams each fronts

Bharatiya Janata Party State president K. Surendran mentioned the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation right into a cash laundering cost in opposition to Mr. Kunju had blown the lid off the Palarivattom corruption case. Mr. Vijayan had no recourse however to arrest Mr. Kunju.

The UDF and the LDF had been engaged in a “friendly contest” in Kerala. Both had “covered-up each other’s corruption” for alongside. The entry of the BJP into the political fray was a game-changer. Mr. Surendran claimed the highest IUML management had been the “final beneficiaries” of the Palarivattom case.

Mr. Vijayaraghavan mentioned a number of businesses had examined the flyover development and located it to be “flawed and a threat to public safety”. The authorities had submitted the knowledgeable committee stories in entrance of the Supreme Court, which sanctioned the demolition of the bridge. Mr. Vijayaraghavan mentioned the decommissioned flyover was a “testimony to the entrenched corruption” within the earlier UDF authorities. The UDF was defending Mr. Kunju out of “political compulsion than conviction”.