Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan on Sunday said he would continue his fight against corruption, a day after the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo rejected his demand for action against tainted party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.
"I will continue my fight against corruption," Achuthanandan told reporters in the national capital before leaving for Kerala.
The CPI-M politburo had met in New Delhi Saturday to discuss the case of Vijayan, an accused in a case of irregularities in awarding a contract to Canadian firm SNC Lavalin when he was the state's power minister.
The politburo said the charges by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Vijayan were politically motivated.
"I am still fighting against corruption in public life. I will continue this fight," Achuthanandan said, also referring to the legal battle against three prominent leaders of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the state including K. Karunakaran, R. Balakrishna Pillai and C.V. Padmarajan, who also face corruption charges.
Achuthanandan and Vijayan are known rivals and head two factions of the party. The chief minister had for long maintained silence over Vijayan's alleged involvement in the multi-million rupee scam, while most CPI-M leaders had openly defended the state party secretary.
{{/usCountry}}Achuthanandan and Vijayan are known rivals and head two factions of the party. The chief minister had for long maintained silence over Vijayan's alleged involvement in the multi-million rupee scam, while most CPI-M leaders had openly defended the state party secretary.
{{/usCountry}}The chief minister declined to comment on the SNC Lavalin case and said the party general secretary (Prakash Karat) had said what was necessary.
In Kerala, meanwhile, Vijayan was quick to respond to the chief minister's remarks. Speaking in Alluva, he said: "All the legal cases and other stands taken by Achuthanandan on corruption cases in the past were based on the decision of the party. All such cases were taken up by Achuthanandan when he was either the leader of opposition or as party secretary and had the full support of the party.
"Don't interpret such issues as if Achuthanandan was on his own," said Vijayan, who is leading a statewide march by the CPI-M.
Asked if the support he got from the party Saturday would give a boost to his march, Vijayan said: "The decision at the politburo should not be seen as a victory for one or a failure for another.