Achuthanandan accuses Chidambaram of double-speak

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - In a scathing attack on union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Wednesday alleged that the central minister was indulging in double-speak over his letter demanding a federal probe against the lottery mafia in state.

Addressing reporters here after the weekly cabinet meeting, Achuthanandan said he had written to the home minister on the issue in November.

He said Chidambaram in a letter dated Dec 29 last year acknowledged receiving his letter. But denied it in his next letter dated Jan 4.

“Yesterday (Tuesday) in the assembly, the opposition alleged that I had withheld the letter dated Dec 29 that Chidambaram wrote to me. But I wish to state that I received a letter Jan 4 from him stating that he is yet to receive my letter which I had written to him on Nov 29 last year,” said Achuthanandan.

On Nov 29 last year, Achuthanandan wrote to Chidambaram urging him to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against the lottery mafia.

In the assembly Tuesday, the opposition accused Achuthanandan of ignoring Chidambaram’s letter written Dec 29, 2010 in which he asked the chief minister to ensure that a case was registered against the lottery mafia in the state. As a CBI probe could be ordered only after a case was registered by the state government.

“But in Chidambaram’s letter dated Dec 29, in the first sentence itself, he has acknowledged my letter dated Nov 29. Then how come in his letter dated Jan 4, he said he had not received my letter,” said the chief minister.

“And now he (home minister) says a probe cannot be initiated. So how can anyone trust Chidambaram,” asked Achuthanandan.

On Dec 23 last year, the chief minister wrote to prime minister asking for a CBI inquiry into the lottery mafia and enclosed his letter written to Chidambaram earlier.