Kozhikode: CPM Kerala State Secretary M.V. Govindan stated that the party will not act on media reports concerning the PSC corruption scandal but will conduct an investigation if any wrongdoing is found. Govindan made this statement during a media interaction in Kozhikode.

“If a complaint is received, the respective committees will investigate. Even an anonymous complaint received on a piece of paper will be investigated by the party. Strong action will be taken against the culprits if any wrongdoing is found. The district secretary should be consulted to confirm whether the district committee has received any complaint. The party will not comment on the PSC corruption scandal merely based on media reports. Minister Mohammed Riyas has not filed a complaint with the state committee,” M.V. Govindan said.

Meanwhile, Kozhikode district secretary P. Mohanan remarked, “CPM is unaware of any allegations against a party leader for taking a bribe to become a PSC member. The party’s district committee has no knowledge of this media-induced commotion. If the people think that they will be able to make a ruckus and tarnish the image of Minister Mohammed Riyas, the party or the government, then it won’t happen and it will be met with strong resistance.” 

The allegations stem from a complaint made by a doctor couple who claimed that Pramod Kottooli, a member of the Kozhikode Town Area Committee and district secretary of CITU, demanded Rs 60 lakh to secure them a PSC membership, of which Rs 22 lakh was allegedly paid. The complaint mentions that the payment was made believing the membership would be secured through Minister Mohammed Riyas. Additionally, the complaint includes the names of MLAs K. M. Sachin Dev and Thottathil Ravindran.

Responding to the controversy, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had denied the allegations saying “PSC is an exemplary recruiting agency in the country. So far there has been no outside interference in it. The appointment of the chairman and members is done with the approval of the Governor on the recommendation of the Cabinet. It is unfortunate that such accusations defame such a constitutional institution. Apart from the news that appeared in the media, no irregularity has been noticed regarding the appointment of PSC members.”