Kerala CPM in big trouble following a letter to Polit Bureau detailing corruption, leaders-businessman nexus surface
Kerala CPM leadership faces massive criticism after a letter sent to Polit Bureau by a former member and a businessman detailing about corruption charges against its top leaders have surfaced.
New Delhi: The CPM unit in Kerala is embroiled in a critical and complex situation where its former party member has filed a sworn affidavit in the Delhi court where in a complaint filed against him and top CPM leaders including current ministers by a Chennai-based business man has surfaced. The sworn affidavit was part of a defamation case filed by a London-based businessman Rajesh Krishna against a Mohammed Shershad, a businessman based in Chennai.
The letter submitted to the court by Rajesh Krishna deals with a range of corruption allegations to financial scams connected with CPM leadership.
Shershad, who spoke with the regional media houses said that he is aware of the complaints made by Rajesh as he was closely associated with him for a long time. Shershad alleged that it was CPM state secretary’s son Shymajith who had leaked the complaint letter to the media.
"I am well aware of these allegations as Rajesh had told about these to me earlier. I had to write to the CPM secretary regarding these as I felt the need that the shady dealings should come in public. My letter to the CPM general secretary was leaked by the CPM state secretary’s son. I have nothing against the party and I don't want to declare any war with the party. However, now I want to expose the wrongdoings of people like Rajesh”, said Shershad to a Malayalam media house.
The letter sent by B Mohammed Shershad to CPM Polit Bureau begins by highlighting the close relationship between Shyamjith and Rajesh.
Excerpts from the letter
"When my family and I visited Delhi in 2018, we contacted Shyamjith for visitors’ passes to Parliament. Following his direction, I approached Rajesh, who arranged the passes through the office of then MP PK Biju. Rajesh’s help was also sought when we faced issues with a private bank transaction. The then Finance Minister Thomas Isaac personally called the bank to resolve the problem. Bank officials described the minister’s intervention to settle a private issue as indeed a ‘miracle.’
"Rajesh accompanied the Chief Minister and Finance Minister Isaac during their visit to London related to the masala bond. The investment he made through a London-based shell company in connection with the Fisheries Department was a scam. This company was projected as the implementation agency of a major government project. A team from London, claiming to represent the company, visited Kerala. Despite receiving broad media coverage, they spoke only of the Suchitwasagaram project, which was already underway. The then Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma and other key figures even held press conferences during the visit".
A central probe is ongoing against a Chennai-based security services company for violating foreign investment rules. Rajesh funnelled money to various left leaders under the cover of this company. I now fear the investigation may soon touch the party and its leaders. Rajesh had also announced a car journey from London to Kochi that never happened, though the money collected for it disappeared. He exploited his position as a member of the Loka Kerala Sabha, and cheating is suspected in connection with a dance programme by actor Shobhana in London. Rajesh routed ₹80 lakh from England and Qatar into Kerala under the guise of producing the Mammootty-starrer Puzhu. His real aim was to penetrate the Malayalam film industry, gain recognition as a producer and secure positions and influence through dubious transactions”.
"Rajesh’s criminal activities, shady alliances and misuse of party and government influence must be exposed before society. His exploitation of the Chief Minister’s name and those of other senior leaders poses a serious threat to both the party and the government.”
Meanwhile, CPM state secretary MV Govindan Master has downplayed the allegations made by Shershad in the letter. When media-persons in Delhi questioned him over the letter, Govindan Master replied saying that the entire complaint is ‘rubbish’ and fake.