Kerala Minister in troubled waters

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 23 (UNI) The fate of Kerala Public Works Minister T U Kuruvila, facing allegations of a murky land deal hangs in the balance with the Opposition Congress mounting pressure on the Government for his resignation and the Revenue officials finding that certain documents were tampered with.

Mr Kuruvila, who is in New Delhi, however, is reported to have said he was ready to step down if his party Kerala Congress (Joseph) Chairman asked him to do so.

He had also met State Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, who is in Delhi to attend the CPI(M) Central Committee meeting.

With the controversy gaining momentum, tomorrow's Cabinet meeting Is crucial for Mr Kuruvila as it was likely to discuss the issue.

The issue related to the alleged corruption in the land deal involving the Minister's sons, who had entered into an agreement with a NRI businessman for sale of land at Rajakumari village in Idukki district. The businessman later alleged that his company had paid Rs 6.5 crore as advance for the land and that the company neither received the land nor the advance.

He also alleged that the deal was made with Mr Kuruvila, which the Minister had denied.

Meanwhile, on a petition from the businessman, Revenue officials conducted a primary investigation into the land deal and raised doubts about the status of the land. It was also found that the register had been tampered with.

Even as the pressure was mounting on the LDF to remove Mr Kuruvila, the Front leaders and the CPI(M) had not made any statement. Mr Achuthanandan had yesterday said he would comment on the issue once the inquiry report was submitted.

The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP had demanded the resignation of Mr Kuruvila in view of the serious nature of the situation.

Mr Kuruvila, the lone nominee of KC (J) in the Achuthanandan Cabinet, had joined the Ministry after his party Chairman P J Joseph resigned an year ago following allegations that he misbehaved with a woman on board a flight from Chennai to Thiruvananthapuram.

UNI