Cong demands CBI inquiry into ISRO land deals

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 14 (UNI) The Congress in Kerala today demanded the resignation of State Forest Minister Binoy Viswam and called for an inquiry by a central agency or a judicial probe into the land deal between a private person and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Ponmudi, in the district, for setting up a space institute.

Stressing that the protest would continue till the demands were met, Pradesh Congress Committee President Ramesh Chennithala said the government had not come forward for an inquiry even after the ruling CPI (M), its ally the CPI and Mr Vishwam himself, had called for an inquiry.

Alleging that the deal was not transparent, he said the Chief Minister had not welcomed an inquiry.

''Who is the Chief Minister trying to protect? He is trying to hide certain facts due to political pressures,'' he said and also demanded the resignation of Revenue Minister K P Rajendran.

Alleging that the government was ''administratively fragile'', Mr Chennithala said the ministers were unaware of the activities under their ministry. The Chief Minister was also not aware of what was going on in other ministries and without his knowledge certain decisions were being taken.

The Congress would take out protest marches in all the panchayats on September 17. The party would be deciding further course of action in the coming days, he said.

UNI