‘Ramesh Chennithala should first conduct Operation Toofan within his own party’; M V Govindan lashes out

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan has said Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala should first conduct 'Operation Toofan' within his own party. He said it was a serious matter that people involved in anti-drug campaigns were allegedly becoming involved in drug trafficking. Govindan was referring to reports that the Chief Minister’s social media coordinator had been arrested in connection with a drug trafficking case.

“The Chief Minister must explain how his office became a centre for a drug network. Youth Congress office-bearers Mohammed Hussain and Abbas were among those arrested. They are prominent Congress leaders and close associates of V.D. Satheesan. Hussain’s Facebook profile identifies him as a social media coordinator. He was an admin of groups in Satheesan’s name,” Govindan said.

Govindan also alleged that Meta was being misused to prevent such reports involving the Chief Minister from appearing on social media.

He further alleged that the police and prosecution had made arrangements to help RSS ideologue T.G. Mohandas secure bail.

“This is evidence of a Congress-BJP deal. The CPM’s stand is that only two stanzas of Vande Mataram should be used,” he said.

Govindan alleged that the government was trying to hide serious lapses in the rescue operation at sea. He said an effective search was not launched immediately after the disaster.

“Why did the state government seek the help of the BJP state president to get assistance from the Coast Guard and the Navy? The Chief Minister is using every opportunity to build a bridge with the BJP,” Govindan said.

He also criticised the Archbishop of the Latin Archdiocese for saying that the government was handling the rescue operation properly.

“People will view the Archbishop’s statement with ridicule,” he said.

‘Deputy Opposition Leader’s room issue is nonsense’

Govindan also dismissed the Speaker’s remarks regarding the room allotted to the Deputy Opposition Leader in the Assembly as “complete nonsense”.

“We have not discussed any such matter. No such letter has been given, and there is no question of giving one,” he said.