Former Kerala Minister Accuses Political Opponents of Orchestrating Sabarimala Gold Scam Complaint
Former Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has vehemently dismissed a complaint filed against him by Unnikrishnan Potti, the first accused in the high-profile Sabarimala gold scam. In a statement on Thursday, Surendran alleged that the complaint is part of a calculated conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his public image ahead of the upcoming elections.
Baseless Allegations and Suspicious Timing
Dismissing the allegations of financial conspiracy as completely baseless, Surendran emphasized that the timing of the complaint is highly suspicious. "This complaint has surfaced precisely when my name is being considered as a candidate for the elections," he stated, suggesting a politically motivated agenda behind the move.
In his complaint submitted to the state police, Potti alleged that Surendran conspired to implicate him in a case. Potti claimed that Surendran worked with a woman named Pratibha, who had earlier filed a land fraud complaint against Potti. According to Potti, Surendran asked him to provide financial assistance to Pratibha.
Surendran's Detailed Rebuttal
Responding to these allegations, Surendran provided a point-by-point rebuttal:
- Denial of Involvement: He stated that he was not aware of who Pratibha was initially, and though he later learned she was from his constituency, he never interfered in anyone's financial matters.
- Police Station Visits: Surendran clarified that he has not visited any police station in the past decade except during the inauguration of the Thumba police station.
- Financial Disputes: He emphasized that he generally does not get involved in financial disputes, noting that such issues are typically handled by party workers if they arise.
Political Motivation Behind the Complaint
Surendran alleged that the complaint represents an attempt by his political opponents to damage his credibility, especially at a time when some surveys indicate an advantage for the Left front in Kerala. "This is clearly a conspiracy orchestrated by associates of Potti to undermine my political standing," he asserted.
The former minister further claimed that he understood the circumstances behind the complaint after receiving a copy of it and added that he would reveal the names of those involved at an appropriate time.
Background of the Complaint
The complaint against Surendran surfaced shortly after Potti was granted bail in the Sabarimala gold scam case. In his petition, Potti alleged that Surendran played a role in orchestrating the complaint filed against him by Pratibha.
Potti provided additional details in his complaint:
- He claimed to have purchased land belonging to Pratibha and later leased it to another person after obtaining permission to run a school on the property.
- According to him, the lease was transferred when rent payments were defaulted.
- He alleged that Surendran acted as a mediator during certain discussions held at the Thumba police station regarding Pratibha's financial difficulties.
- Potti further claimed that although Surendran asked him to provide financial assistance to Pratibha, he did not comply with the request.
This developing story highlights the intersection of legal allegations and political maneuvering in Kerala as election season approaches, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives about the events surrounding the Sabarimala gold scam case.
