The BJP on Sunday intensified its criticism of the ruling CPM over allegations of bribery in appointments to the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC). The party filed a complaint with the state police chief, demanding a thorough investigation.
BJP state chief K. Surendran accused the Left leadership of trying to downplay the issue, alleging that powerful forces were behind the scam. In his complaint to DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb, Surendran claimed that the ruling party was accepting bribes for PSC appointments, calling it a serious matter needing immediate investigation. He stated that this incident was just the tip of the iceberg and had damaged the credibility of the PSC.
Surendran emphasized that a PSC member could not be appointed merely based on the actions of a CPM Area Committee member, implying larger forces were involved. He insisted on a thorough investigation to bring the main culprits to justice.
The BJP leader also alleged a black money trail leading to a Rs 25 lakh bribe paid by CPM local leader Pramod Kothuli, which he said needed investigation. He stressed that a thorough police probe was necessary to restore public trust in the PSC amid the allegations.
The BJP’s complaint came a day after the ruling CPM expelled Kozhikode Town Area Committee member K V Pramod alias Pramod Kothuli, whose name was linked to the bribery allegations. The CPM district secretariat stated that Kothuli was removed from the party for tarnishing its public image, without directly referring to the bribery allegations.
The issue was previously raised in the state assembly by the Opposition, following news reports that a local CPM leader in Kozhikode had allegedly collected bribes from a doctor, promising a PSC member position. The CPM district secretariat decided to take action against Kothuli after his name surfaced in these reports.
Meanwhile, Kothuli, along with his mother and son, went to the house of Sreejith, who had allegedly made the bribery claims, and staged a protest demanding proof of the accusations.
