Thiruvananthapuram: In a setback for Kerala unit of CPM, Governor R S Gavai has given a go-ahead to the CBI to prosecute top CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan in the SNC Lavalin case.
Gavai had earlier asked for more clarification from the LDF government on the case saying that the delay in giving opinion on prosecution proceedings was not deliberate.
Reacting to the development, the Kerala state committee of the CPM has issued a statement backing Vijayan. They say that the Governor's decision is unfortunate and that the party will face it legally and politically.
It also blamed the UDF and anti-party elements for influencing the Governor's decision and say that the case against Vijayan is politically motivated.
The case has been a major embarrassment for the country's top Left party not just because it alleges corruption against a senior comrade, but also split the party in Kerala, causing it to lose several seats in the elections.
The case dates back about 12 years when Vijayan as power minister granted a contract for almost Rs 400 crore to a Canadian firm even though an Indian firm had a much lower quote. Vijayan is ninth accused in the case.
The politically sensitive case is Kerala's biggest financial scam involving Rs 378 crore pertaining to the alleged corruption in awarding contract to Canadian firm SNC Lavalin.
Vijayan had received a breather earlier when the state Advocate General advised against granting permission to prosecute him in the multi-crore corruption case.
This has been the main cause of rift between Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanandan and Vijayan.