The Hindu : Kerala News : Order probe into poster issue: CPI(M)

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Thursday, Apr 29, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Order probe into poster issue: CPI(M)

By Our Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM, APRIL 28. The CPI(M) State secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, today asked the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, either to institute an inquiry into the controversy over the poster showing the latter along with the VHP leader, Praveen Togadia, during the Ernakulam byelections or apologise to the people for endorsing a controversy which placed the LDF in bad light.

Speaking to reporters here today, the CPI(M) State secretary said his demand was being made against the backdrop of the revelations made by the two Congress leaders, Rajmohan Unnithan and T. Sarathchandra Prasad, on the issue on Tuesday. (The two leaders had told reporters that they were not disclosing the sources of the poster on account of party discipline).

Mr. Vijayan pointed out that the issue was of criminal nature since, as per the stance taken by the Chief Minister, it was a false document and aimed at deliberately damaging his reputation. The CPI(M) had repeatedly made it clear that they had no hand in the appearance of such a poster during the byelection. The revelations by the two Congress leaders had added credence to the widespread belief that it was an inhouse handiwork, he said.

Mr. Vijayan also wanted to know why the Chief Minister was repeatedly harping on the issue at this juncture, nearly seven months after the byelections. He could have instituted an inquiry into the issue during the past many months, but he did nothing. Even when the poster appeared, he did not make it an issue, Mr. Vijayan said. It was aimed at getting additional votes from those who supported Mr. Togadia, he added.

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