THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union minister V Muraleedhran has said that the CPM’s victim tag over the customs investigation is baseless. “The information revealed by the agency on Saturday were not publicised through a press conference. Those facts came to light from the affidavit filed by them before the court. Also, the centre has not told the media in Kerala that such a case is being considered by the court," he said.

“It wasn’t a suo moto affidavit filed by the department. It was actually submitted as a response to the Jail ADGP’s writ, which was filed as per the direction of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This news came to the forefront as part of such moves. The customs department was forced to file the affidavit,” Muraleedharan said.

“It was the court which said that there is nothing unreliable over Swapna’s testimony. The high court needs to be convinced about the high profile relations that Swapna had. When legal action is taken on such cases, it is baseless to consider it as some form of witch hunt. It should be explained how the phone given by Santhosh Eepan as bribe reached the hands of Kodiyeri’s wife. There is a skyscraper for the Marxist party’s leaders in front of the AKG centre. The ongoing march should be led towards that building. If that is not possible then it should be led towards the Jail DGP’s office,” Muraleedharan said.

“CPM cannot fool the people of Kerala again in the name of ‘victimhood.’ The current issue has no links with the ongoing elections. It should be asked to the high court and Jail DGP. I am not the spokesperson of Customs am the spokesperson of BJP,” Muraleedharan said.

“CAG is not another term for the central government but Thomas Isaac is trying to prove that CAG is part of the central government. Hiding the important lapses flagged by CAG, they are trying to fight against the central government,” he added.