Oppn stages walkout over Deshabhimani bond issue

Thiruvananthapuram, June 29 (UNI) The entire Congress-led Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) today staged a walk out in the Kerala Assembly over the issue of CPI(M) mouthpiece 'Deshabhimani' accepting Rs two crore as development bond from a lottery agent, who allegedly defaulted on tax arrears amounting to crores.

The Opposition walkout came after Finance Minister Thomas Issac said the Deshabhimani bond issue would not affect the State Government's stand on fighting a legal battle against the lottery agents, who defaulted on tax arrears to the tune of Rs 9,345 crore.

He, however, said it was up to the Deshabhimani management to clarify on other issues relating to the vernacular daily accepting the development bond.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said the Finance Minister's reply was not satisfactory as lottery agent S Martin had tried to influence the CPI(M), which held the Chief Ministership and portfolios of Vigilance and Finance. It should also be viewed in the context of the State Government losing almost all the cases relating to lottery in the Kerala High Court.

He said the CPI(M) had no moral right to speak about corruption after accepting money from a person with dubious background and it was against the guidelines issued by the 18th Party Congress of the CPI(M).

Earlier, moving a submission, Mr Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan of the Congress wanted to know whether the Deshabhimani had the authority or clearance from the RBI to issue such development bonds.

UNI