Malappuram, Tuesday, January 18, 2011: Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy has once again insisted for a CBI probe into the Inter State lottery case. Speaking to the reporters after resuming his ‘Kerala Mochana Yatra’ from Perinthalmanna in Malappuram district today, Chandy opined that the State Finance Minister Thomas Issac was afraid of conducting a CBI probe into the lottery issue.

In an indirect reply to the charges made by the CM regarding hike in prices of essential commodities, Chandy urged the state government to act. The opposition leader reminded the state government that there is no use in criticising the union government, without fulfilling own duty.

While Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan has asserted that the LDF government would do their best to initiate action against lottery king Santiago Martin. VS added that the party wouldn’t oppose his stand taken against Martin and such reports regarding the differences in opinion between him and his party are fabricated.

VS had come under severe criticism for requesting a CBI probe into the case without the consent of the LDF party. CPM Polit Buro meeting held in Kolkatta had decided to warn Achuthanandan as a disciplinary action regarding the same.