In a sharp attack on the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), Opposition Leader V D Satheesan has alleged significant political pressure was exerted on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to avoid making major arrests in the high-profile Sabarimala gold smuggling case during the election period. He asserted that without this interference, a crucial arrest would have already been made.
Allegations of Political Interference and Cover-up
Satheesan expressed confidence in the SIT probe only because it is now under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. He predicted that this case would become a central topic of serious discussion in the ongoing election campaign. The Congress leader pointed out that two former presidents of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) are already in prison in connection with the scandal.
He made a serious claim that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is apprehensive that its top leaders could be implicated if the accused individuals begin giving detailed statements. This fear, according to Satheesan, is the primary reason the party has not taken any internal action against those involved. He reiterated his previous allegation that precious dwarapalaka (guardian deity) sculptures from the temple were sold to a millionaire.
Countering CPM and Highlighting Governance Issues
The opposition leader stated that a strong anti-government sentiment is prevalent among the public. He dismissed the CPM's attempts to revive the case involving its own MLA, Rahul Mamkootathil, as a tactical ploy to shift the Sabarimala issue away from the election agenda. The Congress, he clarified, took a firm stance against the MLA while emphasizing the legal principle that a person cannot be punished twice for the same offence, leaving further action to the police.
Satheesan contrasted this with the LDF government's approach, accusing it of inaction against its own leaders who have been named as accused in sexual assault cases, alleging that the government is actively protecting criminals. Responding to questions about the Enforcement Directorate (ED) notice, he called it an intimidation tactic against the Chief Minister and the CPM, predicting no concrete action would follow in Kerala. He pointed to the eventual outcome of the Karuvannur cooperative bank case as an example.
Financial Scandal and Electoral Confidence
Shifting focus to alleged financial mismanagement, Satheesan claimed there was corruption in the state's masala bond transaction. He revealed that interest payments amounted to nearly half of the Rs 2,150 crore borrowed for a five-year period. He accused the government of moving the fund to a bank offering only 6% interest, resulting in significant losses. While international markets offered loans at 1-1.5% interest, the state government's deal carried a 9.72% interest rate from a company linked to the controversial SNC Lavalin, he stated, adding that the government violated the Constitution in this case.
In a personal anecdote, Satheesan mentioned that former minister Kadakampally Surendran, who had sent him a legal notice demanding Rs 2 crore for defamation, later reduced the claim to Rs 10 lakh in court. He noted that when key gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh made serious allegations against Surendran, no legal notice was sent.
Concluding on an assertive note, Satheesan said the United Democratic Front (UDF) is approaching the elections with a clear manifesto outlining its plans and alternatives for governance. He confidently predicted a significant electoral comeback for the UDF in Kerala, positioning the alliance as the alternative to the current regime.
