BJP, Centre has nothing to do with graft charge over MCI nod:

Image
Press Trust of India Thiruvananthapuram
Last Updated : Jul 25 2017 | 11:02 PM IST
BJP Kerala unit today said the graft allegations against its functionary, who was expelled over the issue of MCI nod to a private medical college, was a financial fraud by an individual, and the party and the Centre had nothing to do with it.
"The opponents could not raise any corruption charge against the Narendra Modi-led BJP government and out of dismay, they are trying to exaggerate this isolated incident," BJP state President Kumanam Rajasekharan said in a letter to party workers.
In his first detailed statement on the graft charge, he also said a false propaganda was on to tarnish the image of the party and asked the workers to be vigilant and not to fall prey to such designs.
He said though some "weeds" had tried to grow under the shade of the party, they had been "uprooted" when it came to the notice of the leadership.
"I assure you that if there is anymore parasite in the party, they will also be eradicated," Rajasekharan, who is now undergoing treatment at a hospital for viral fever, said.
He was referring to the expulsion of Cooperative Cell convener R S Vinod on July 20 following charges that he had taken a bribe of Rs 5.60 crore to get Medical Council of India approval for a private medical college.
As the state party unit came under a cloud, Vinod was expelled from the party's primary membership, hours after the contents of an internal report on the matter had surfaced in a section of media.
The Kerala Vigilance Director had also ordered a probe into the corruption allegation on the same day.
Maintaining that it was not a corruption case but a financial fraud committed by an individual, Rajasekharan said the BJP and the union government had nothing to do with it.
Nobody had received any undue gain from the Centre through the person, facing allegations, he said adding Vinod had misused the name of the party for his personal gains.
By expelling the wrongdoer, the party could "uphold its anti-corruption image," he claimed in the letter.
"We should be vigilant against those who unleash false propaganda that everyone in the Kerala BJP is corrupt and cheat in the wake of this isolated incident," he said.
The BJP state president also came down heavily on the Congress-led UDF opposition and CPI(M)-led ruling LDF for attacking BJP over the issue.
He listed out the corruption cases in which various leaders of both the rival fronts were allegedly involved.
Meanwhile, UDF today decided to hold a Rajbhavan march to protest against the alleged corruption over the MCI approval on July 31.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jul 25 2017 | 11:02 PM IST

Next Story