NCP demands CBI probe into ISRO land deal case

Kozhikode, Sep 8 (UNI) The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Kerala today demanded a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the controversial ISRO land deal.

Talking to newspersons here, party state unit president K Muraleedharan said an inquiry by the premier agency would only unravel the details regarding the sale of 82 acres of government land at Ponmudi Hills in Thiruvanthapuram district by an individual Xavi Mano Mathew to the Indian Space Research Organisation.

On Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan's refusal to order a CBI probe into the case, he said ''the CM appears to be afraid of such an action for unknown reasons.'' Predicting a mid-term poll in the country in the wake of changed political scenario caused by the India-US nuke deal, Mr Muraleedharan said the party was fully prepared to face the electorate in the country.

Ruling out merger with the parent Congress party, he said the NCP preferred to maintain its separate identity.

UNI