THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state Congress party sought a CBI probe in the gold smuggling case. The CBI is a reliable investigating agency. If the chief minister is honest, he should convene a cabinet meet and announce a CBI probe, said KPCC chief Mullappally Ramachandran. The chief minister should have the spirit to inform that decision to the centre. The office of the chief minister have a role in the case. Sivasankar is the confidante of the chief minister. The chief minister is protecting Sivasankar. Why is the chief minister scared of a CBI probe? asked Mullappally.

Swapna Suresh, accused in the case is a small link. Big Sharks are outside. The congress has given a memorandum to the Prime Minister seeking a CBI probe. The NIA is presently investigating the case. The present state police chief had served in the NIA in a top post. He has influence in the NIA. The case having international links should be probed by RAW along with NIA.

Meantime, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala sought the arrest of former IT secretary M Sivasankar. There are backdoor appointments in the IT department. The audio clip of Swapna was concocted by the police. The chief minister should resign in the case, the NIA probing the case can probe only a scheduled crime. They cannot probe such cases. By handing over the case to the NIA, the BJP is trying to protect the state government. The party will oppose all efforts to insult the congress, said Chennithala.

Former chief minister Oommen Chandy sought a probe after closing all loopholes. A joint probe is needed. Criticisms against the congress are not genuine. A comprehensive probe that can change the suspicions of the public is needed. The three sought a comprehensive probe after the congress meeting.