THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sharply criticizing Union Minister V Muraleedharan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the smuggling of gold through diplomatic luggage started after he became the Union Minister of State for External Affairs. CM said the same minister is now wielding the sword called Customs against the state government. He was speaking at a press conference after the Kovid review meeting.

Only cats will think that no one will understand if they drink milk with their eyes closed. I have heard a Minister of State who we believe is in charge of the Union Ministry of External Affairs say some things even today. He is said to be in charge of the Middle East. Is there any idea how much gold was smuggled after he became a minister? The CM alleged that the smuggling of gold through the diplomatic channel started after the minister took office.

He also asked if the minister had any connection with the person who persuaded the accused to say that the gold was not smuggled in a diplomatic bag. The Minister of State for Finance said that the gold was smuggled in a diplomatic bag, but why Muraleedharan had reiterated the opposite?, CM asked.

When asked by media persons about the non-release of an accused, the minister said that it should be asked of the foreign affairs spokesperson. It is the same minister who is now wielding the sword of Customs against the state government. The Chief Minister said that this will not help to discredit the Left Democratic Front which is going ahead with the welfare measures.