The Congress leaders K. Sudhakaran and V.D. Satheesan in Kerala are under the scanner as probe agencies tighten their noose around them in separate cases. According to sources, Sudhakaran and Satheesan face trouble after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who also handles the Home portfolio, caught both of them on the wrong foot.
Satheesan is under the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau scanner for allegedly collecting money from abroad soon after the 2018 floods to build homes for the poor. Sudhakaran, on the other hand, is facing an alleged cheating case. A person named Anoop had paid Rs 25 lakh ($34,000) to the now-jailed fake antique dealer, Monson Mavunkal at his Kochi office in 2018. When the money was being handed over, Sudhakaran was also present and allegedly took Rs 10 lakhs after promising to get a favour done for him.
Both Satheesan and Sudhakaran have decided to take the fight into the enemy camp. However, a political analyst on condition of anonymity said that if they don’t tread carefully, they could end up in a spot of bother. Unlike the Congress, which is known for its factional feuds, the CPI (M) has an excellent support system that will fire on all cylinders and approach the public on the issues.
The analyst added that if the two leaders don’t watch their steps, they could end up in a similar situation as former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy when he was caught in the solar scam. Chandy had to fight his own battle, and Sudhakaran and Satheesan could face the same trouble. While the two leaders have the option of approaching the courts, only time will tell who will have the last laugh.
