Your image has got a dent after your government reneged on a promised CBI probe into the SNC Lavalin corruption case involving Pinarayi Vijayan...
Make no mistake, those who swindled public money, however high and whoever they are, will be brought to book. As the opposition leader, I had demanded that Lavalin be blacklisted. The Congress-led government failed to do it. Who has pocketed Rs 98 crore? Was it a fraud at the expense of poor cancer patients? The question begs an answer and I will pursue it.
People say that you, as CM, don’t get enough backing from your own party. Is this true?
There are differences in perception on various issues that I had raised all these years. But now neither the party nor I can adopt a different stand. People are least bothered about nuances of organisational differences. They expect the CM to deliver. I just can’t go back on my promises.
People say you’re not in control. You didn’t even know the ADB loan files were forwarded to Delhi...
The party has a stand on external borrowings—it should be taken after the widest possible consultations within the party and the public. Before the deal was inked, I wanted to ensure that this was complied with. But I’ve not been given a chance to ensure this. Also, I wanted the opinion of (Kerala planning board vice-chairman) Prabhat Patnaik before firming up my mind. I’m yet to receive the file with his considered opinion. The pact is now a fait accompli. I am seeking explanations from the officials concerned.
Unlike the West Bengal government, there are delays even in pursuing issues you had raised as the opposition leader...
This is not true. Be it the Rs 5,750-crore tax arrears due from illegal lottery giants or taking back government land from Tatas or prosecuting sex racketeers, the delay is caused by litigation. See, one can’t bypass procedures. It’s part of the system.
