Ruling UDF ally levels corruption charges against PWD minister

However, the minister has denied the corruption charges leveled against him by Kerala Congress (B) MLA and former forest minister KB Ganesh

The Kerala Assembly on Tuesday witnessed an unusual tussle between the ruling UDF allies.

Kerala Congress (B) MLA and former forest minister KB Ganesh has leveled corruption charges against PWD minister VK Ibrahim Kunju and others officials of the Public Works department (PWD)

The MLA accused three personal staff of PWD minister VK Ibrahim Kunju-Abdul Rasheed, Abdul Raheem and A Nasaruddin-of involving in corruption involving crores of rupees.

Indicating that he has clear evidences of corruption in the PWD department, the MLA said the personal staff of the PWD minister had demanded Rs 60 lakh for transfer of an executive engineer in the department.

When the Speaker ruled that the MLA should raise the allegations in writing in the Assembly, Kumar said, he also had evidences of corruption against another minister in the Cabinet. However, he did not divulge the minister's identity.

Ganesh alleged no action was taken against those involved in the corruption though he took the issue to the notice of the chief minister weeks ago besides also seeking a CBI investigation into the matter.

"I stand here as I am an elected representative of the people. I do have information of one more minister involved in corruption. A special assembly committee should be formed to probe the matter," Ganesh said. Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan has demanded an enquiry into the allegations by a special Assembly committee.

However, PWD minister Ibrahim Kunju has denied the allegations and said they were baseless.

There had been complaints against personal staff A Nasaruddin and was investigated thoroughly, but were found baseless. He also said the allegations by Ganesh Kumar were against the rules of the Assembly as he was raising the charges while raising a calling attention motion in the Assembly.

It is against the rules of the assembly proceedings, said Kunju.

Meanwhile, chief minister Oommen Chandy said strict action would be taken against the staff if they are found guilty.

When TO Sooraj, a senior IAS officer was suspended from the service as the anti-corruption department had found that he amassed wealth through corruption, Ganesh Kumar said that Sooraj was only a small worm, while there were big bulls in the Cabinet. Later, he said, he would reveal more evidences in a press conference.

The latest allegation by the ruling Front MLA has made the United Democratic Front (UDF) leadership and made the chief minister in a tight spot.