Govt involved in huge conspiracy; Chennithala demands Mercykutty Amma’s resignation

Kollam: Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma who cheated the fisherfolks by signing a deep sea fishing contract with a US-based firm.

He alleged that government is involved in a huge controversy that was aimed to sell off the rich fish wealth of Kerala resulting in poverty for fisherfolks.

“Mercykutty Amma conspired for the controversial deal. She couldn’t furnish facts against the allegations raised by me. It is true that the representatives of US firm EMCC International met the Minister in New York in 2018. Later they arrived at the Cliff House and conducted discussions and then demanded detailed project plan. Now claiming that they were sent back as the deal was against government policy is completely false,” Chennithala said.

Why was the project not identified to be contrary to the fishing policy in first place? Why were the company representatives allowed to meet Chief Minister? Didn’t the CM or the Fisheries Secretary know that the project was against government policy? Wasn’t the letter regarding the trustworthiness of the company received before signing the deal? Chennithala raised these questions.

If the deal was not revealed by the Opposition, government would have implemented it. Who will believe their allegations of my involvement when it is all out in the open regarding their part, he further stated.

Just withdrawing the contract will not work. The MoU signed by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation for Rs 5000 crore should be cancelled, he urged.

The Congress leader also demanded a judicial probe as CM and senior officials were involved. Chennithala has also decided to launch a hunger strike in Poonthura raising these demands.