EA MoS Muraleedharan observes hunger strike demanding the resignation of Kerala CM

Union External Affairs Minister for State, V Muraleedharan observed a day-long hunger fast on Sunday demanding the resignation of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The minister cited the connection of state government officials in gold smuggling case through diplomatic channel in Kerala.

New Delhi: The Union External Affairs Minister for State V Muraleedharan on Sunday observed a day-long hunger strike demanding the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to resign from the post citing the connection of officials in the gold smuggling case. Muraleedharan had started the strike here at his Delhi residence. BJP's national general secretary P Muralidhar Rao had inaugurated the hunger strike and said the LDF government in Kerala is conspiring against the nation.

"It was not just a matter of smuggling. It was to strengthen the financial network of terrorists. It is linked to corruption and terrorism. We cannot take this lightly. The funding for anti CAA protests must have been got through this gold smuggling," Rao told the media.

He further charged the Kerala CM saying that he is pretending innocent. "The nation is watching the corrupt government being run by the LDF in Kerala. Vijayan acts like that he has no role in the smuggling case. But, like in the climax of Tamil and Malayalam cinemas, Vijayan will be proved as a villain," the BJP leader added.

Read: Kerala gold smuggling: Swapna, Sandeep sent to judicial custody till Aug 21

Muraleedharan urged Vijayan to step down as CM. "Vijayan had betrayed the nation by allowing space for people who indulged in this smuggling against the nation. He had made officials as the scapegoat. He must resign," the minister said.

It is noted 30 Kg of gold consignment addressed to UAE consulate in Kerala was seized by the customs officials in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5. PS Sarith, a former officer in UAE consulate was arrested in this case as he came to receive the consignment.

One Swapna Suresh, an IT consultant was also arrested by the NIA. The federal enquiring agency had also interrogated Kerala's Principal Secretary Sivasankar and freed him recently.

Though the Congress-led UDF and BJP are accusing Vijayan and demanding his resignation, he is refuting the charges. "We have recommended for an independent agency's enquiry related to gold smuggling case. Congress and BJP are joining hands to topple our government which came to the power after people elected us," Vijayan reacted.