Kerala opposition protest against CM in a group of five

As Section 144 is imposed in Kerala owing to hike in COVID-19 cases, the leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala. led a unique protest in state secretariat as he marched along with four other opposition leaders. Chennithala demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the wake of gold smuggling case.

Thiruvananthapuram: Amid COVID-19 protocols, leader of the opposition, Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday led a unique protest as a group of five other opposition leaders marched a kilometre and arrived at the state secretariat to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Following the spike in COVID-19 cases, Section 144 is imposed across the state and assembling of more than five people is banned and hence Chennithala along with United Democratic Front convenor M M Hassan and three leaders of the alliance -- C P John, Shibhu Baby John and T V Ibrahim arrived at the secretariat. They shouted slogans demanding the resignation of Vijayan and called him a liar.

On Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate filed a charge sheet in Prevention of Money Laundering Act, PMLA court, Ernakulam in connection with the gold smuggling case. It was allegedly revealed that prime accused Swapna Suresh had met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan six times along with the suspended top IAS official, M Sivasankar, who was Vijayan's secretary and also the State IT secretary. The Chief Minister is still of the stance that he is unaware of Swapna's identity and job in Space Park, IT department. Apparently, CM is the head of the department.

Read: Kerala Gold Smuggling Case: Two main conspirators arrested in UAE

Speaking to the media in front of the secretariat, Chennithala said Vijayan has lied. "He has no moral right to continue as he is the one who has lied all the time about Swapna Suresh. As he has been caught red-handed, he should quit now. Vijayan's office is now safe haven for the smugglers," said Chennithala. He also added that it is shameful for Kerala as Vijayan is still ruling the state as CM.

The charge sheet was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 against P S Sarith, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)court, Ernakulam in connection with the gold smuggling case. All three accused are in judicial custody since July.
(IANS)