KOCHI: Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA responded to CPM central committee member A K Balan on the allegations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan. He asked what A K Balan will do if proved that Veena and the related company had not paid IGST. Kuzhalnadan's counter question followed Balan’s challenge that will he be ready to retract the allegations and apologize and stop public activities if proved that she had paid IGST.

‘I cannot ask senior leaders Pinarayi Vijayan or A K Balan to stop public work. Will not demand such great leaders to do so. I am waiting for you to release the IGST figure. Don't know how many days to wait. I am a beginner. It is also a big challenge asking to stop public work now, but there was a second option. The question was whether will apologize. I first requested Veena or the CPM state secretariat to release the figures. I waited for three days. As per the information received, Rs 1.72 crore IGST has not been paid. That is my belief. We are humans, mistakes can happen. If my facts prove to be wrong, I will confess before the public. I have no hesitation in apologizing to an entrepreneur like Veena,' said Kuzhalnadan.