Bitter feud in Kerala: CPI(M)-backed MLA accuses Muslim Youth League leader of fraud, he hits back

Jaleel told media on Friday that the Youth League leader is working as a sales manager with a firm in Dubai even as he remains a full-time general secretary of Youth League in Kerala. “He had pocketed huge money from various funds mobilised by the Youth League for charity purposes. The source of his financial growth was the funds embezzled… Firoz claims that he works as a general manager with a firm in Dubai. He should reveal where it is functioning… He is drawing Rs 5.25 lakh as monthly salary from the Dubai firm. I have not found such a firm in Dubai. Is he engaged in reverse hawala operations,’’ Jaleel asked.

Responding to the allegations, Firoz told the media that he is a businessman. “I have been earning a decent income from my job as a part-time employee with a Dubai-based firm. I need not answer Jaleel about the company and my pay. I have stakes in two food outlets in Kerala and accounts are transparent and have been submitted to the Election Commission (when he had contested the Assembly elections in 2021).’’

The Youth League leader said Jaleel is levelling false accusations as he is scared that documents pertaining to the “multi-crore scam behind the land acquisition” for Malayalam University in Tirur, Malappuram, which happened during his term as Higher Education Minister, will come out.

Firoz told the media that Jaleel “holds a grudge towards him” as the Youth League had led an agitation which resulted in the latter’s resignation as minister in 2021. “The university land deal happened during the Covid-19 days. I will bring details before the media about his (Jaleel’s) involvement in the land sale. The land for the university had been bought from CPI(M) workers and leaders, who had functioned as middlemen, at higher prices. When his shady dealings are being exposed, he is raising allegations against others,’’ said Firoz.

On Firoz’s allegations, Jaleel told the media, “Let Firoz bring out evidence in the university land acquisition deal. I don’t have the habit of taking commission for land dealings. Firoz and his leaders have that practice. I became the higher education minister in 2018 and the land for the university was acquired in 2016. Construction could not be started at the acquired land because of financial constraints. The acquired land was suggested by IUML leader C Mamootty. Firoz should ask him.”