Congress demands CBI probe into Desabhimani bond issue

Thiruvananthapuram, June 30 (UNI) The Kerala unit of Congress today sought a CBI probe into the alleged acceptance of Rs two crore by CPI(M) organ ''Desabhimani'' in exchange for bonds from ''lottery mafias.'' Addressing a news conference here, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Ramesh Chennithala said the truth could be brought out only through a CBI inquiry.

The KPCC president asked CPI(M) Secretary Prakash Karat, who always upheld 'value-based politics' to write a letter to the Centre seeking a CBI inquiry as it was an inter-state case.

Alleging that the CPI(M) Kerala unit was submerged in corruption, Mr Chennithala asked the CPI(M) secretary whether he was ready to take action against the state unit.

Pointing out that the Kerala unit of CPI(M) had accepted funds from ''lotto-king'' S Martin and his two sons by violating party guidelines that strictly banned receiving funds from tainted people, he asked what action would be taken by the Central Committee against it.

Mr Cennithala also alleged that inspite of taking steps to realise Rs 8,000 crore lottery tax from the ''lottery mafias,'' the government was providing all help by accepting Rs two crore from them.

On the alleged bribe of Rs one crore received by K Venugopal, Deputy General Manager of CPI(M) organ 'Desabhimani,' to settle a case involving a Kochi-based private financial institution, he said the government should register a case against him.

Charging the CPI(M) with trying to protect ''big sharks'' behind the episode by making Venugopal a ''scapegoat,'' he alleged that the government had provided all assistance to the same company to function in another name.

Referring to P Jayarajan's remark against ''Mathrubhoomi'' daily that it was a ''yellow paper,'' Mr Chennithala said the remark is unfortunate. The role of Mathrubhoomi during the Independence period could not be forgetten.

He asked Jayarajan and the CPI(M) to withdraw the remarks and apologise.

UNI