Kerala Congress intensifies state-wide protests; calls for CM’s resignation over gold smuggling scam
India Today
The protests by Kerala Congress unit against CM Vijayan, over his alleged involvement in the 2020 gold smuggling case, have intensified in Kannur, Kochi and Pathanamthitta. The protesters demanded that the CM should also be investigated and that he should resign.
The protests being staged by Kerala Congress at Kannur, Kochi and Pathanamthitta have intensified. Slogans have been raised against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and protesters have demanded his resignation over his alleged involvement in the gold smuggling scam case.
Slogans are being raised against police officials as well. Opposition leader, VD Satheesan, is participating in the protest at Kochi.
VD Satheesan said that Swapna Suresh, the key accused in the 2020 gold smuggling scam, had voluntarily given a statement in court knowing full well that if her claims are proven false, she will get a minimum of seven years in prison.
Swapna Suresh, on Tuesday, alleged that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan smuggled currency during his visits to Dubai in 2016. “So, knowing this, the CM should be subjected to an investigation as well,” demanded Satheesan.
Protesters are trying to break through the barricades in the Pathanamthitta district. Congress workers pelted stones against police in Kottayam and the police had to resort to using water cannons to disperse the protesters.
The police had sent a notice to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, K Sudhakaran, who was to lead the protest in Kannur.
The notice stated that there was an intelligence report that a ruckus was about to break out during the Congress protest, and the notice requested the senior leader to ensure that his party cadres did not start untoward incidents.
