Achuthanandan fires salvo against Pinarayi Vijayan

CPI-M veteran and Opposition leader in the Assembly V S Achuthanandan today launched a veiled attack on party state Secetary and his bete noire Pinarayi Vijayan on a graft case, saying the CAG report on the case had not been corrected so far.
"On the basis of the CAG report on the SNC Lavalin contract to modernise three hydro electric projects, I believe that irregularities took place and still believe in it as the report has not been corrected so far', he told a local channel today.
The deal for modernisation of the hydro electric projects with Canadian based SNC Lavalin was inked in the 1990s when Vijayan was power minister in the LDF government.

CBI had probed the case, in which Vijayan is listed as seventh accused. The trial is progressing in the CBI court here.
A case filed by Vijayan, seeking to be discharged from the case is also pending in the CBI court.
"The case is now before the court and it is not proper for me to say anything on the outcome. It is a corruption case... It becomes otherwise if proved by the court," he said.

On the report of CPI-M's Polit Bureau Commission which looked into organisational issues in the state, he said he was not anxious about PBC's conclusions.

"I have presented my arguments before the Commission and am not worried about the outcome of the report. Whatever may be the report, I am not worried", the CPI-M leader said.
Asked what his reaction would be if removed from the post of Opposition leader, he said 'As far as I am concerned, I am not worried whether I am removed from the post or not".
"I will react on the matter in accordance with my conscience at that time," Achuthanandan added.
The six-member PBC had recently completed hearing the views of party State committee members.
According to reports some in CPI-M wanted Achuthanandan removed from the post of Opposition leader while others were for him to be sent out of the party. In their view, stringent punishment was necessary as he had refused to change his ways.

But those supporting Achuthanandan pointed out that the battle was not against any individual,but the 'wrong style' of functioning of CPI-M under the present leadership.