THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It has been assessed that there is a malafide motive behind the allegation that there was an attempt to indulge in political horse-trading worth crores of rupees in Kerala, similar to the ones taking place in north India. It is alleged that Thomas K Thomas of the NCP offered Rs 50 crore each to Janadhipathya Kerala Congress MLA Antony Raju and RSP Leninist MLA Kovoor Kunjumon to join the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP.

The allegations started hanging in the balance when Antony Raju confirmed and Kovoor Kunjuman and Thomas K Thomas denied it. It is alleged that the offer was made at the assembly lounge. Thomas K Thomas said it was a move to block his entry into the cabinet.

The NCP is also asking what is the use of spending Rs 100 crore and bringing together two MLAs who have little political power with just one-and-a-half years to go for the assembly elections. Even if three MLAs, including Thomas, defect, the government will neither lose its majority nor will it be shaken.

It has now come to light that the Chief Minister, who noticed the allegation even before the Lok Sabha elections, had reported to the CPM state secretariat. There is no answer to the question as to why a case was not registered and investigated on the issue raised by the chief minister.

Thomas K Thomas came to the fore today demanding a probe into the allegations against him. CPM state secretary MV Govindan said the party had not discussed such a matter. Saseendran, who is also a minister from the NCP, also made it clear that there is no need to disbelieve Thomas.

It is learned that when NCP state president PC Chacko, minister AK Saseendran and Thomas K Thomas MLA met the chief minister last month for discussions on ministerial berths, he had mentioned the bribery issue. Thomas K Thomas had rejected the allegation then. The party leadership started the moves so that the minister could be replaced once the by-election was over.

The allegations against CPM leader PP Divya following the suicide of Kannur ADM Naveen Babu are posing a major challenge to the government and the party in the by-election. It is alleged that the motive behind the news is to divert attention from this.

"There is a limit to revealing more things now. I'll tell everything openly if the situation demands it."- Antony Raju

"No one has approached me with a promise. I did not go anywhere even during the UDF regime despite being offered the post of Speaker." - Kovoor Kunjumon

"This is a ploy to prevent my entry into the cabinet. I will be made minister after the by-elections" - Thomas K. Thomas