Refer Sabari probe to CBI: BJP dares CM

Kochi: BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday challenged chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to refer the investigation into the Sabarimala gold scam to CBI. Speaking at ‘Meet The Press' event in Kochi along with Twenty20 chief coordinator Sabu Jacob, Chandrasekhar alleged that there is a conspiracy to sabotage the investigation and weaken the case. "If the CM has even an iota of shame and sincerity, he should hand over the probe to CBI," he said. He said that the court did not conduct an independent probe but relied on documents provided by the special investigation team (SIT) probing the case. "How can there be an independent probe by the state police when ministers and people from outside the state are involved?" he said. When it was pointed out that the Kerala high court expressed satisfaction with the SIT's investigation, he said, "If the CM has nothing to hide, why not refer the case to an independent agency?" he added. Dismissing the charges by CPM and UDF that Kerala was ignored in the Union Budget, he said there are several provisions made for the state, including a 38% increase in tax devolution to the state and a more than 100% rise in grants-in-aid to Rs 26,500 crore as proof. Meanwhile, Sabu Jacob, when asked about Twenty20's winnability in the upcoming assembly elections, said, "It doesn't matter if Twenty20 does not win any seats at all. What matters more is that the ideology of development that Twenty20 and NDA share should flourish and reach our voters."