KOZHIKODE: Minister Muhammad Riyas has come forward responding on the monthly payment controversy involving his wife and chief minister’s daughter Veena Vijayan. ‘The CPM state secretariat has clarified the stand. No matter how many times the question is repeated, the answer would be the same. The interest of the media owners is behind the controversies. Media workers are a category that does not get freedom. They are to protect the interests of the owners,' said Riyas.

There were allegations that Minister Riyas had concealed the information that the CMRL Company had given monthly allowance to his wife Veena Vijayan in his election affidavit. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Minister Riyas were criticized in a big way in the monthly payment controversy. Soon the minister came out against the media today.

Meantime, Girish Babu of Kalamassery filed a complaint with the vigilance seeking an investigation against Veena Vijayan in the controversy. The complainant demanded an investigation against Veena and those who received money from the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) company. Girish Babu approached vigilance with the settlement board order of the income tax department. The complainant stated that if the vigilance director does not take further action on the complaint, he will approach the court. It is reported that he has given a copy of the complaint to Governor Arif Muhammad Khan.

It was found that Rs 1.72 crore was received as monthly payment in the last three years. It is also said that opposition leaders including Oommen Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala and Kunhalikutty have also received the money.