UDF-BJP nexus in bar case: VS Achuthanandan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader V. S. Achuthanandan on Friday alleged that with Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi appearing in the court for Kannur-based bar owners, the nexus between the BJP and the UDF government was now out in the open.

In a statement, Mr Achuthanandan said Rohatgi had taken special permission from the centre for representing bar owners. The smartness shown by Vigilance Director Vinson M. Paul in roping in Rohatgi for taking legal opinion on the bar bribe case is extraordinary.

He said that on June 26, he had pointed out that it was inappropriate to seek legal opinion from Rohatgi. “Besides, I had also opposed the decision to take legal advice from former attorney-general Nageswara Rao who also appeared for the bar owners on Friday.

He said this clearly indicated that under the directions of the state government, Vinson Paul was only keen on getting legal advisers who are hell bent on saving Mani. The state BJP leadership had helped the attorney-general to get the centre’s permission for representing bar owners.

This has exposed beyond doubt the UDF government and BJP were working hand in glove on the issue.