UDF ups ante with Jayarajan controversy, puts LDF on backfoot

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress has decided to amplify the claims of unholy business links between CPM and BJP after LDF convenor E P Jayarajan tacitly admitted to having business deals with Rajeev Chandrashekar. UDF is also planning to make this a main campaign tool to show people about the unholy nexus existing between CPM and BJP.

The gaffe Jayarajan made when he questioned the opposition’s claim about his wife having shares in Niraamaya retreats added fuel to the fire. Later, Valapattanam police registered a case against a DCC member in Thiruvananthapuram on Indira’s (Jayarajan’s wife) complaint, which convoluted the political rigmarole.

The Videkam-Niramaya resort relationship and a photo of Rajeev Chandrasekhar and EP's wife were released by opposition leader Satheesan, which again put heat on the controversy. Jayarajan called the photo morphed and alleged Satheesan to be the brain behind the move. Meanwhile, the opposition leader denied the accusation and termed the photo as real.

Earlier, EP Jayarajan put CPM in a fix after he said the real contest in Kerala was between BJP and CPM and also praised the candidate selection of BJP. CM Pinarayi and the LDF state secretary had to toil hard to reorder the statement and said BJP would not open an account in Kerala. However, with the current revelation of business links, Jayarajan has unknowingly gifted an advantage to the Congress party.

It is noteworthy that CPM State Secretary MV Govindan, who said that EP knows how to give a precise answer to Satheesan's allegations, did not try to justify the EP or dismiss the allegations as political motives. Satheesan has challenged Jayarajan about revealing more such evidence if the latter decides to complain to the police about the morphed photo. At the same time, Rajeev Chandrasekhar has repeatedly denied the allegation of having a business relationship with EP Jayarajan.