Thiruvananthapuram, Wednesday, June 10, 2009: As soon as Chief Minister VS Achuthanadan made his stand clear on the Governor’s prosecution consent, the opposition was quick to take on the CPM, Opposition Oommen Chandy said, the statements of Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan after the Cabinet meeting is a reply to the Home Minister and other CPM leaders who has been supporting Pinarayi Vijayan in the multi-crore scam.

He also added that, the CPM has lost its morality otherwise instead of fighting the SNC Lavalin case in court legally the party would not have dragged it on to the streets.

The case has been a major embarrassment for the country’s top Left party not just because it alleges corruption against a senior comrade, but also split the party in Kerala, causing it to lose several seats in the elections.

The case dates back about 12 years when Pinarayi Vijayan as power minister granted a contract for almost Rs 400 crore to a Canadian firm even though an Indian firm had a much lower quote. Vijayan is ninth accused in the case.