NEW DELHI: Stepping up his attack on the Kerala government, Union minister V Muraleedharan on Saturday called chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan “a disgrace” for his alleged involvement in the gold smuggling case and demanded his resignation.
Reacting to the state government’s decision to step up the personal security of the chief minister, Muraleedharan, a prominent face of Kerala BJP unit, said Vijayan was afraid of the people of the state.
“Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan is making desperate attempts to secure his post. He is afraid – hence the increase in his personal security. Shame! People of Kerala have understood his deceit and corruption,” the Union minister wrote on Twitter.
“He is a disgrace to the State. He must Step Down Immediately,” he demanded.
Amid allegations of his direct involvement in the case, the security of the chief minister and some of his minister has been beefed up. As a protocol, chief ministers enjoy Z plus category security. Now the CM will have additional security cover of State Industrial Security Force (SISF).
Kerala CM @pinarayivijayan is making desperate attempts to secure his post.
He is afraid – hence the increase in his personal security. Shame!
People of Kerala have understood his deceit and corruption. He is a disgrace to the State.
He must Step Down Immediately. #GoldScam
— V Muraleedharan / വി മുരളീധരൻ (@VMBJP) June 11, 2022
As per local media, rapid action force is deployed in places where the CM attends any public function these days.
Protests against the CPI (M) government are swelling in various parts of Kerala in wake of a recent statement by accused Swapana Suresh suggesting involvement of the chief minister. In the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, police had to lathi-charge protesters and fire water cannons to disperse them.
Muraleedharan is not the first opposition leader to demand Vijayan’s resignation. Leader of opposition in the state Assembly, VD Satheesan has said that the chief minister should “stay away from the chief minister’s chair”.
The smuggling case pertains to recovery and seizure of 30 kgs of gold worth nearly Rs 15 crore by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs at Thiruvananthapuram Airport from a diplomatic bag that was meant to be delivered to the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram in July, 2020.