Kerala minister Jaleel questioned by NIA, Opposition intensifies protests

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The Opposition Congress and the BJP stepped up protests across Kerala, hours after KT Jaleel, state minister for higher education and minority welfare, appeared before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials in Kochi in connection with alleged FCRA violation and the probe into the Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case.

Jaleel arrived in a private car belonging to a former CPM MLA around 6 am Thursday at the NIA office in Kochi purportedly to dodge the local media which has been following the minister’s movements for the past few days. The questioning is underway as of 1 pm, with no statements yet from either the minister’s office or the NIA officials.

Meanwhile, protests led chiefly by the Congress and the BJP flared up across Kerala, calling for Jaleel’s resignation. At several places in Palakkad, Kollam, Kozhikode, Kottayam and Kannur districts, members of the Youth Congress, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Mahila Morcha and KSU (student outfit of Congress) clashed with the police as they took out marches to government offices.

At several places, the police resorted to the use of tear gas, water cannons and lathi-charge to disperse protesters. In Palakkad, Congress MLA VT Balram was among those injured in clashes with police.

Congress Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala and BJP state president K Surendran reiterated calls for Jaleel’s dismissal from the cabinet on grounds of violating protocol as a minister. Chennithala also demanded Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s resignation alleging the government had no reason to remain in power anymore.

However, Vijayan has resisted such demands insisting that Jaleel is not guilty.

He said, things are being manoeuvred in a way that is not suitable for Kerala. A character known as Jaleel is being created to serve the agenda of IUML and BJP alike. Everyone should realise that this is Kerala.