Privilege move politically motivated, says CPM

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan cited "political motives" behind privilege proceedings against him for his remarks on Antony's statements on the Marad issue.

Deputy leader of CPI-M in Kerala assembly Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Wednesday said he suspected 'political motives' behind the move to initiate suo moto privilege proceedings against him by Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman for the statements he made on the answers given by Chief Minister AK Antony in the house on the CBI probe into the Marad issue.

HT Image

He told reporters the privilege move against him had come close on the heels of Antony countering his charge that the Advocate General's advice given as an annexure to the Chief Minister's reply to the question on the chances of a CBI probe into Marad case was not there in the web site of the assembly.

Balakrishnan said he had only stated that the annexure was not there on the web site. The statement was made after looking at the website where the annexure was missing and he did not intend to show any disrespect to the house while making the statement.

Purushothaman had yesterday decided to take suo moto privilege action against Balakrishnan for his reported remarks on the issue.

Balakrishnan's statements on the issue had triggered a row with Chief Minister refuting his charges and releasing the copy of the answers he had given with the annexure containing AG's advice against the feasibility of referring the case to the CBI which was investigated by the Crime Branch and the court having taken cognizance of the matter.