Cong attacks CM both inside and outside assembly

: Congress in Kerala today launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan both inside and outside the assembly, for defending M K Damodaran, his legal advisor, who came under fire for appearing for lottery baron Santiago Martin in the high court.
In the assembly, Vijayan backed Damodaran who appeared for Martin in the Kerala High Court in a case filed by the Enforcement Directorate, saying there was no bar on him and as his services were free, he could accept any brief.
Hitting out at Vijayan, KPCC President V M Sudheeran said while continuing as legal advisor of the Chief Minister, Damodaran cannot appear for cases against the state.

This was a 'grave error' and cannot be allowed. The state's interests would be 'crucified', he alleged.
"If the Chief Minister waves the green flag allowing the former AG to appear in any case, then an accused in a criminal or corruption case can ask him to fight their case and this cannot be allowed", Sudheeran told reporters here.
The CM should rectify this mistake, he said, adding that Damodaran should either be asked to resign or the legal advisor himself should put in his papers.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala had attacked the Chief Minister in the assembly, stating that the principal legal advisor was appearing on behalf of criminals.

"Damodaran is serving as the legal advisor of the CM without accepting any remuneration. There is no bar on him to take up any brief," the Chief Minister said, replying to the allegation in the house.
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Joining the issue, BJP also attacked the Chief Minister, saying Damodaran was working as a 'double agent'.
"This is a person who can access important files and the Chief Minister's stand that there was nothing wrong in his appearance for cases against the state is a challenge to the judicial system," BJP state President Kummanam Rajasekharan said.
"It is not relevant if Damodran was getting remumneration or not. What was important was the position he was holding. He is working as a double agent," he alleged.

Kummanam said the CM should clarify why such a private legal advisor was necessary when the Director General of Prosecutions and Advocate General, who gets lakhs as remuneration from the state, have been appointed to appear for the government.
Meanwhile, a Kochi report said Damodaran appeared for lottery baron Martin in the High Court today in a case filed by the Enforcement Directorate.
The case is considered by the Bench of Justice P B Suresh Kumar.