Will act against TDB ex-chief once chargesheet is filed, says M V Govindan

Kozhikode: CPM state secretary M V Govindan said that the party will take action against A Padmakumar, the former CPM MLA and ex-president of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) who was arrested in the Sabarimala gold scam, once the chargesheet is filed in the case and the crime against him is revealed. Addressing reporters on the sidelines of LDF's Vikasana Munneta Jatha in Perambra, Govindan said that no action will be taken until then, no matter who demands it. "There is no moral question involved in this matter. We said that we will take action and he is still in jail. The moral problem is for the media," he said. He added that when the party takes action, it will be systematic and through proper channels. He reiterated that action would be taken only after the chargesheet is filed. Earlier, addressing the workers, Govindan said that when the special investigation team (SIT) questioned UDF convener Adoor Prakash in the Sabarimala gold scam, Congress suddenly lost confidence in the team. "The money collected for the flagpole is missing, and the gold collected for it is also missing. When this Tanthri and Govardhan went around the country, there was one person with them. Who was it? Adoor Prakash. As I am speaking now, news came out that he is being questioned by the SIT. So, Congress people don't want the SIT as it has started to nab Congress workers. So far, they were unleashing attacks, saying that the SIT is catching communists," he said. Govindan said that they took a stand from the beginning that even a grain of gold belonging to Lord Ayyappa should not be lost. "Whoever is responsible should be brought to justice. We also said that we will not protect anyone, no matter who is involved," he said. He also questioned the mystery over first accused Unnikrishnan Potti visiting Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. "Adoor Prakash might be revealing that to the SIT now. I don't know who all are going to be summoned now," said Govindan. Earlier, during a media interaction, Govindan said that the allegation of fund diversion by leaders in Payyannur was a matter which was properly addressed earlier, and it need not be converted into a national issue. He added that those who want to chant the name of expelled party leader V Kunhikrishnan can continue to do so. As soon as he was expelled, that chapter closed, said Govindan.