THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP State President K Surendran on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his office had clear involvement in the gold smuggling case. He also said that the smugglers had received help from the IT department as well as the home department.

Surendran also alleged that there is mystery behind the appointment of the UAE attache's gunman who had recently attempted suicide. According to Surendran, the state government had appointed the gunman so as to fulfil its vested interests. "The state government said that the gunman was appointed for the security of the attache as per the central government's direction. However, no such instructions were given by the central government. In fact, the centre had only directed to provide security to the UAE consulate and not to appoint a personal gunman for the attache,", Surendran said.

Surendran also demanded the Chief Minister's resignation and urged the CPM centre leadership to advise the CM regarding the matter. "Either the CM should resign from his post or else the party should intervene. BJP will observe black day today and conduct widespread protest demanding the CM's resignation," he added.