V S Achuthanandan a mute spectator

By O J George

Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan remains a mute spectator to the goings-on in the SNC Lavalin case as his party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has taken all precautions to save its state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, the ninth accused in the case.

The party is fully controlled by Pinarayi Vijayan, who is supported by national general secretary Prakash Karat.

The CBI has accused Pinarayi Vijayan in the Lavalin case along with others, but the CPM is not game for even trying it in court. It squarely blames the CBI for fabricating a politically motivated case.

The party had from the very beginning stood by Pinarayi Vijayan. Even before Governor R.S.Gavai sought the state government’s opinion, the party swung into action and told the Chief Minister not to do any mischief.

The party wanted the issue to be referred to advocate-general C.P.Sudhakara Prasad, a political appointee, and not to the Law Department of the government.

Now Sudhakara Prasad has given a clean chit to Pinarayi Vijayan and others. The party secretariat has asked the Chief Minister to give this line in reply to the Governor’s query.

Of course, the Governor has his discretion to act in any manner he thinks fit.He would take legal opinion on his own.

Meanwhile, chief secretary K J Mathew has taken ill and is hospitalised. It is not likely that the Lavalin case can be taken up at the next meeting of the cabinet.

If the Governor takes his own decision to give sanction for prosecution, the party will approach the Supreme Court against prosecution.

The Chief Minister of a party like the CPM is in fetters. He cannot act freely, but the party will determine what he should do in matters small and profound.