The Government is in the dock because of the alleged links the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary and IT secretary, M. Shivashankar has with the main accused, Swapna Suresh. Shivashankar has since been sacked from both the posts by the Government which is feeling the heat generated by the case. Swapna is an ex-employee of the UAE consulate and holds a prestigious post in the IT Department, which is under the charge of the Chief Minister himself.

Hell broke loose when 30 kg of gold, worth Rs 15 crore, was seized at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport from a diplomatic bag marked for the attache in the UAE consulate. The million dollar question is: who sent the gold from UAE? And for whom was it meant?

A massive hunt is on for the missing Swapna, who reportedly warned the customs officials of dire consequences if the bag is not released. The man who came with the bag is being questioned by the Customs. Also being interrogated is the wife of a third accused in the case, Sandeep Nair, who owns a workshop in the Kerala Capital.

The scam has acquired a new dimension with the disclosure that Sandeep is close to a local BJP leader. Sandeep’s mother herself has admitted to her son’s BJP links. Sandeep, who is also missing, used to work for the party during election time, she told a TV channel. Reports have it that the trio, Sarit who reportedly went to the airport to seek the release of the bag, Swapna and Sandeep used to meet at the local BJP leader’s residence in the city. Sandeep’s mother also denied that her son is a CPI(M) supporter, a charge made by State BJP leaders. Customs has sought the custody of Sarit for interrogation.

The Chief Minister has denied any links of his office with Swapna. The CM’s office and the State has nothing to do with the issue, and the Centre is welcome to initiate a probe into the smuggling as the Customs and airports come under its control. The State Government would fully co-operate with the probe, asserted a combative Chief Minister.

There was no question of the Government trying to shield any offender, the CM added.

A jubilant and resurgent Opposition has lost no time in grabbing the ‘golden opportunity’ to belabour a beleaguered Government. Leader of the Opposition, Ramesh Chennithala has demanded a CBI inquiry into the ‘scam’ and the resignation of the Chief Minister. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has also decided to up the ante by launching a statewide agitation on the ‘scam’.

Likewise, BJP State chief K Surendran has demanded that the Chief Minister resign. He also wanted all phone calls emanating from the CM’s office to be examined as somebody from the CMO allegedly called up the Customs to save the main accused, Swapna. The BJP leaders also say the ‘scam’ is a repeat of the Sarita scam that rocked the erstwhile Oommen Chandy-led UDF Government.

The Customs department has, however, denied receiving any calls from the CMO. But the Opposition leaders are in no mood to believe it. Only a thorough probe would clear the air, they insist.

Incidentally, a CBI team visited the office of the Customs department. There are also reports that the Enforcement Directorate will investigate the case.

There is no denying that the LDF Government has been shaken by the sensational case. The Government is struggling to counter the allegations being levelled by an aggressive opposition. What must cause it concern is the veiled criticism voiced by an editorial in the CPI daily Janayugom. The whole controversy has flared up because of the appointment of Swapna in the IT department. That should have been avoided, opined the editorial.

These are trying times for the embattled Pinarayi government. How it will weather the storm remains to be seen. One thing is clear. It won’t be easy. (IPA Service)