Lavalin scam: ‘Governor’s action has created constitutional issue’

Kerala Home Minister took exception to Governor R S Gavai 'directly conveying' his decision to CBI to sanction prosecution of Pinarayi Vijayan.

Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan took exception to Governor R S Gavai “directly conveying” his decision to CBI to sanction prosecution of CPI(M) state Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan in a graft case,saying it created a “serious constitutional issue.”

“The Governor has created a serious Constitutional issue by failing to maintain the relationship expected between him and the state government,” Balakrishnan,also a CPI(M) politburo member,told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.

“Even two days after the Governor communicating the decision to the CBI,the (state) government has not received any details on the matter. The government can take further steps on the matter only on getting the details,” he said.

“It is difficult to understand as to why the Governor did not inform the Cabinet of his decision. Who is the Governor afraid of?” he asked.

Gavai had on Sunday communicated to CBI his decision to permit the prosecution of Vijayan in the case pertaining to alleged corruption in awarding of a contract for a Canadain company SNC Lavalin for renovation of three hydro-power stations in the state. Vijayan was power minister when the contract was finalised in 1998.

The Governor’s decision came despite the government in Kerala advising against the move.

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