Case against former minister part of political vendetta: Cong

Congress in Kerala today backed former minister K Babu, against whom a case has been registered by Vigilance in connection with bar bribery scam, holding that it was done as part of the political vendetta by CPI(M)-led LDF government.
"Congress always welcomes probe in graft case based on facts. But, here the Vigilance has failed to come out with any evidence against Babu so far," Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President V M Sudheeran told reporters briefing the deliberations of the party's political affairs committee meeting held here yesterday.
The Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau had in July 21 registered the case against Babu, who was the Excise Minister in the previous Congress-led UDF government, in connection with alleged corruption in awarding bar licenses and forming policies in this regard.

Sudheeran said the decision to defend Babu was taken unanimously at the meeting.
"The case is part of political vindictiveness of the LDF government," he said.
Sudheeran's statement assumes significance as he had earlier refused to make any comment on the case against Babu.

Asked about his silence earlier, Sudheeran said, "The vigilance has not been able to produce proofs convincing the people about the case. I refused to make any comments as I did not want to do that without knowing the facts," he said.
The meeting also decided to go in for a complete revamp of party organisation.

In the first phase, the district Congress Committees would be re-structured, he said.
AICC General Secretary in charge of party's Kerala affairs Mukul Wasnik said merit and capability of individuals would be main criteriafor the selection of DCC presidents.
"Efforts also would be made to make young people in the position," he said, making it clear that DCC presidents would not be made based on any group affiliations.
The 21-member political affairs committee was constituted by AICC recently among other things to coordinate the revamp of party state unit.
Wasnik said the process of restructuring the party set up has been discussed at various levels.