Thiruvananthapuram: As a major rift within the NCP wages on in Kerala with the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan not willing to include Kuttanad MLA Thomas K Thomas into the LDF cabinet, it has come to light that the Chief minister’s unwillingness is following the allegations that Mr Thomas had offered Rs 50 crores to two legislators in the LDF requesting them to switch allegiance.
As per reports, Thomas K Thomas has approached former Transport minister Antony Raju with the ‘Rs 50 crore offer’ and Kovoor Kunhumon MLA in the LDF cabinet. Antony Raju has informed the matter to the Chief Minister who in turn took up the matter in the CPM state secretariat. Sources within the LDF say that Thomas had tried to persuade both the MLAs to join the NCP (Ajith Pawar faction)
The Chief Minister has formally reported this serious accusation to the CPM State Secretariat. Meanwhile Thomas MLA, on his part, has handed over a letter to the Chief Minister, vehemently denying the allegations and stating that he is being targetted by LDF legislator Antony Raju. However, the Chief Minister or the CPM state secretariat is yet to officially speak on the matter that has raised serious questions on the part of the Kuttanad MLA.
“This is a serious issue that has been raised in the CPM state secretariat. However, we will investigate the matter and then come up with further actions”, said a senior CPM state secretariat member who spoke under conditions of anonymity.
According to the information received by the CM, Thomas allegedly offered Rs 50 crore each to Antony Raju of Janathipathya Kerala Congress and Kovoor Kunjumon of the RSP-Leninist, who are the sole representatives of their parties in the assembly. The offer was intended to persuade them to join the NCP faction led by Ajith Pawar, an ally of the BJP.
The CPI(M) state secretariat is expected to discuss the matter very soon as the secretariat convenes.
Meanwhile, Thomas K Thomas denied the allegations made by Antony Raju.
“Thomas Chandy defeated Antony Raju’s party twice in Kuttanad. Even I had defeated the Kerala Congress. Why is such an allegation being made when I am about to become the minister?”, said Thomas K Thomas.
Thomas also wrote a letter to Sharad Pawar where he has denied the allegations made by Antony Raju.
