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Key Points

Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian has come out in strong defense of CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan regarding a controversial leaked letter. The opposition Congress-led UDF and BJP have intensified their attacks, alleging financial irregularities involving senior party leaders. Cherian dismissed the allegations as a recycled attempt to malign the party, vouching for Govindan's integrity and clean personality. The controversy was triggered by a Chennai-based businessman who alleged that CPI(M) leaders were involved in illegal financial transactions.

Key Points: Kerala Minister Cherian Defends CPI-M's Govindan in Leaked Letter Row

  • Minister Cherian dismisses allegations as a recycled attempt to malign CPI-M
  • Opposition UDF and BJP accuse Govindan of maintaining stoic silence
  • Controversy involves claims of hawala transactions by party leaders
  • Govindan serves legal notice to businessman for defamatory allegations
2 min read

Kerala minister Cherian backs CPI-M's Govindan in 'leaked letter' controversy

Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian strongly backs CPI(M) secretary M.V. Govindan against opposition allegations of financial irregularities from a leaked letter.

"This issue surfaced in online media a few years back... It's a futile attempt - Saji Cherian"

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 20

Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian on Wednesday came out in strong defence of CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan, who is facing mounting criticism from the opposition over a controversial "leaked letter" that allegedly details financial irregularities involving senior party leaders.

Both the Congress-led UDF and the BJP have sharpened their attack, accusing Govindan and other CPI(M) leaders of maintaining "stoic silence" on the issue.

The opposition claims the letter points to grave "corruption" at the highest levels of the ruling party.

Dismissing the allegations outright, Cherian said the controversy was nothing but a recycled attempt to "malign" the CPI(M).

"This issue surfaced in online media a few years back. Now, with nothing substantial to target the party, the mainstream media is trying to revive the issue. It's a futile attempt," he told IANS.

Cherian vouched for Govindan's integrity, describing him as a "clean personality" who has never tolerated wrongdoing.

"I have known him for several decades. He is deeply committed to party ideology, and none has ever questioned his credentials," Cherian asserted.

The minister also rejected attempts to drag Govindan's son into the controversy.

"His only passion is films, which he is completely dedicated to. He has no time for anything beyond that. I fail to understand why his name has been needlessly brought in," said Cherian.

The controversy was triggered by Chennai-based businessman Muhammad Sharshad, who alleged that certain CPI(M) leaders were involved in illegal financial transactions.

He claimed supporting documents from his complaint were leaked and later surfaced in a case in New Delhi.

On Tuesday, Govindan served a legal notice to Sharshad demanding an unconditional apology within three days for making what he termed "malicious and defamatory" allegations.

The notice warned that failure to comply would lead to legal action.

According to reports, the controversial letter alleges that top CPI(M) leaders and ministers engaged in hawala and reverse hawala transactions.

It claims that a Chennai-based company was floated to act as a conduit for bringing in foreign funds, which were then diverted into the accounts of party leaders.

"For a while, the media was behind Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. When that failed, the focus shifted to our secretary," Cherian remarked.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who has lived in Kerala for 5 years, I've seen how these political battles play out. The timing is always suspicious - just when the government is actually doing some good work, these allegations pop up.
P
Priya S
Why drag the son into politics? If he's passionate about films, let him be. Indian politics has this bad habit of involving family members who have nothing to do with the controversies.
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Michael C
Hawala transactions allegations are serious. Instead of just dismissing them, there should be proper investigation. Transparency is what citizens deserve, regardless of which party is in power.
A
Aditya G
CPI(M) has maintained relatively clean image in Kerala compared to other states. These allegations seem like opposition's desperate attempt to gain traction. But the party should address the concerns properly instead of just calling it "recycled news".
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Nisha Z
Legal notice is the right approach. If someone is making serious allegations without proof, they should be held accountable. Too many baseless accusations ruin the political atmosphere. 👍

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