THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The tainted BP leaders, general secretary M. T. Ramesh and co-operative cell leader R. S. Vinod, have denied any role in the medical college scam though their names have been mentioned in the inquiry report submitted by party vice-president K. P. Sreesan and state secretary A. K. Nazeer. Mr Ramesh told DC that the scam was like ‘killing’ him and alleged that it was a conspiracy within the party to defame him. This is another instance of rampant groupism and the leadership is in trouble with the RSS also condemning the developments.
Though the inquiry commission had found that Mr Vinod had taken a bribe of ' 5.60 crore to be given to an intermediary in New Delhi to get the Medical Council of India nod for the S. R. Medical College and Research Centre at Varkala, it did not recommend any action against Mr Ramesh. However, he feels that his political career has been damaged. He told DC that he was ready to face any inquiry as he was confident of emerging unscathed. Mr Ramesh admitted that two months ago, Kozhikode native Dr. Nazar had approached him seeking his help in renewing MCI recognition for a medical college.
“I expressed my helplessness in liaising in this issue. That was the end of the matter. None had approached me with bribe nor I had accepted anything,” he said. Party sources said that Mr Vinod had taken advantage of his close association with Mr Ramesh that proved controversial. Mr Vinod was appointed as co-operative cell leader despite opposition from other senior leaders because of his friendship with Mr Ramesh. Fingers have been pointed at a former state president who wants to oust Mr Kummanam Rajasekharan as state president of the party.
“Otherwise, how could the confidential investigation report be leaked? It looks like the former state president was keen to tarnish the image of Ramesh to endanger his political career,” said a BJP leader. The BJP leaders are divided into two groups led by former state president V. Muraleedharan whose trusted lieutenant is general secretary K. Surendran. The official group is led by Mr Kummanam who is supported by former state president P. K. Krishnadas, general secretaries Sobha Surendran, M. T. Ramesh and A. N. Radhakrishnan. Earlier, Krishnadas had a separate faction but once Mr Kummanam reached the helm, they joined hands. Mr Sreesan and Mr Nazeer are also attached to the Muraleedharan camp.
