Thiruvananthapuram: BJP's National Joint Organising Secretary B L Santosh and National Secretary in Charge of Kerala, H Raja, will attend Saturday's core-committee meeting in Trivandrum amid reports of infighting and allegations of corruption against a member.
According to a report by the BJP Internal Committee, R S Vinod, Co-operative cell convener of BJP, took Rs 5.6 crore to get Medical Council of India's (MCI) approval for a private college. The party on Thursday expelled R S Vinod.
Sources in the party say that Santosh and Raja will be carrying the national leadership's message, and the possible solution to calm the waters as the party leadership is miffed over the allegations of corruption levelled against Vinod in Kerala. Another source indicated that there will be an investigation into these allegations either by the party leadership or by the Central government machinery.
The two leaders are expected to ask why State president Kummanam Rajashekaran didn't act on the report, despite it being filed a month ago. A senior BJP leader criticised the state president over the way he handled the entire situation, saying he should have "reacted immediately" after these allegations surfaced. "It was almost after a day that the president issued a statement. And only on Thursday night, there was action against the accused,” said the senior state leader on the condition of anonymity.
Sources also said that action could also be taken against those who leaked the internal report. "Following corruption allegations state co-operative cell conveyor R S Vinod has been expelled from the party. The allegations against Vinod are grave and it has affected the anti corrupt image if the party. His actions are anti party activity. The central leadership should enquire into this," BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekaran said.
Sources have told CNN-News18 that the Central leadership will take stern action against those accused of corruption, and some leaders might even be called to Delhi if need be. The division within the party, after the allegations surfaced, is what the leadership is trying to address first. Kerala Vigilance director on Thursday ordered a probe into the alleged involvement of a BJP man.
BJP State General Secretary, MT Ramesh, who was also accused of corruption, will write to the BJP President, Amit Shah, after a meeting on Saturday. Sources close to MT Ramesh said that he will ask the national leadership to conduct an inquiry into the allegations against him, and that "a section from within the party is trying to tarnish his image".
The Opposition, raised the issue in the Parliament, saying the issue was not limited to just a particular state and could have wider ramifications. The Opposition also asked for an inquiry into the MCI's approval to medical colleges in other states.
CPM State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged that the BJP leadership is involved in a major scam and they are utilising the central government rule to make benefit. He alleged, "The central leaders are involved in this. Otherwise, it is not possible for them to do something of this magnitude. This is not BJP's internal issue. Central government should conduct an enquiry into this. BJP has turned out to be a completely corrupt party."
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