The latest feather in the Government’s ‘cap of controversies’ is a raging row over the conduct of the National Games in the capital of Kerala.

The ball of controversy was set rolling by Kerala Congress(B) MLA, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, who resigned as an executive member of the 38th National Games Organising Committee in protest against decisions being taken without a discussion in the Committee.

In his letter to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Kumar has alleged serious financial irregularities in the deals made at the eleventh hour to procure equipment for Kerala athletes preparing for the Games, adding that he was quitting as his conscience does not allow him to remain a silent spectator to the sordid goings on.

Ganesh is not alone in levelling allegations of corruption in the conduct of Games. Leader of the Opposition V S Achuthanandan and CPI(M) Politburo member, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan have threatened to review the opposition’s offer of cooperation if the Government fails to take quick measures to stem the rot.

The CPI(M) leaders see an unabashed attempt by the UDF Government to make money instead of improving sports infrastructure with the Rs 611 crore sanctioned for the Games. VS went on to accuse Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan of trying to become a Suresh Kalmadi by indulging in massive corruption.

The controversy has fuelled a feud within the Congress itself. Party MLA Palod Ravi has resigned as the head of the Cultural and Ceremony Committee voicing grave concern over the manner in which decisions are being taken without the knowledge of the head of the committee.

Another Congress MLA, K. Muralidharan has also expressed his displeasure over the turn of events, and urged the CM to convene an emergency meeting of the Organising Committee of the National Games scheduled to start from January 31.

Upping the ante further, CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has sought a comprehensive probe into the allegations, saying that the controversy is a disgrace to the State.

Needless to say, the controversy has put the Chief Minister under tremendous pressure. The controversy has erupted at a time when the Oommen Chandy government has hardly recovered from the battering it had to suffer on the bar bribery issue.

The unpleasant development could cause a weakening of the position of Chandy, who is struggling to keep the shaky coalition government from collapsing like a pack of cards.

Speculation is rife that more Congress MLAs are unhappy about the unexpected eruption of the Games controversy, and its repercussions on the party’s prospects in the upcoming local bodies and state assembly elections.

Ironically, the development may strengthen the hands of KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran, who has taken an uncompromisingly tough stance on the bar licences issue. The row over the conduct of the Games could cause a realignment of the group equations within the Congress, which are at present heavily tilted against the party president. It may also strain the newly-forged unity between the groups led by Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala to marginalize and isolate the KPCC chief, who has become a thorn in their flesh. (IPA Service)