Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) A nearly two-decade-old statement by former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has resurfaced as a political talking point for the party following the Kerala High Court's direction to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic case involving former Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan.
In February 2009, when Vijayan was named in the SNC-Lavalin case, Karat had a ready response when asked whether he should resign.
Vijayan did not hold any government post at the time. He was the party's state secretary and, therefore, had no government position from which to resign, Karat had said.
He had maintained that the party would fight the case both politically and legally.
That argument is now back in focus, with an important difference.
Vijayan is no longer merely a party secretary. He is the Leader of the Opposition, an official position carrying Cabinet rank.
The question being raised is whether the principle invoked by Karat in 2009 should be viewed differently when a leader holds a recognised constitutional position.
The CPI(M) has chosen a familiar line of defence.
Following the Kerala High Court's order on Friday directing the registration of an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the party said it would fight the matter both legally and politically.
General secretary M.A. Baby, a Keralite, on Friday maintained that the case was politically motivated.
He accused central agencies of targeting Opposition leaders and questioned the Congress-led government's handling of the Enforcement Directorate's findings.
Baby's response has placed the party's present defence alongside Karat's earlier position.
In 2009, the argument was that Vijayan held no government office and therefore did not have to resign.
Today, the question is whether the same distinction can be applied to a Leader of the Opposition who occupies an official position with Cabinet rank.
The legal proceedings concern allegations arising from financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a company associated with Vijayan's daughter, T. Veena.
The allegations have not been established in a trial.
The High Court's direction to register an FIR marks the beginning of a criminal investigation and is not a finding of guilt.
For the CPI(M), the immediate challenge is to defend its leaders in court while explaining the consistency of its political principles.
Karat's remarks from 2009 have acquired fresh relevance.
Whether the party sees any need to revisit that position remains unanswered.
Source: IANS
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