"Secret Understanding" Between Kerala Chief Minister, PM Modi: Congress On Gold Smuggling Case

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala has alleged that Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan seems to have a "secret understanding" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi which is probably why no case has been registered against the chief minister in the gold smuggling case.

"There seems to be a secret understanding between Kerala chief minister and PM Modi. Is it not correct that the decision to purchase 300-megawatt wind power has been purchased by the Kerala government at rates of 2.85 paise and 2.90 paise from Adani group for 25 years, at a cost that will be over Rs 8,700 crores, to cover up the gold smuggling case?" Mr Surjewala asked.

"Is it not correct that 300-megawatt wind power has been purchased by the Kerala government," he said.

"Is it also not acceptable that solar energy is available at one rupee 90 paise per unit but the power is available at 2.90 paise. It is almost one rupee costlier," he added.

Also, no case was registered against the chief minister and other ministers by Enforcement Directorate (ED), income tax is a part of their understanding, he said.

"The quota of solar power in the overall basket of Kerala was reduced by PM Modi and Mr Vijayan together, from 2.75 per cent to 0.75 per cent, why?" Mr Surjewala questioned.

According to Mr Surjewala, Kerala has surplus electricity from 2018-19 onwards and it would have benefited from cheaper power of 1.90 per unit. "Why would you buy at Rs. 2.90 paise per unit of electricity and make the people of Kerala pay 5,000 to 6,000 crore extra?" he asked.

"Is it because of the gold smuggling case the ED, CBI, income tax has not taken any action, no FIR, against CM Vijayan? His cabinet ministers and the speaker of the Kerala Assembly," the Congress leader said.