Palakkad, 04 Oct (H.S.): CPI(M) Kerala secretary M.V. Govindan on Sunday demanded a comprehensive investigation into all allegations of corruption and irregularities against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying the inquiry should extend beyond the controversy involving road construction in Kerala in 2006.

Responding to reporters’ questions about action over alleged irregularities during Kumar’s tenure in the State, Govindan said the party wanted every allegation examined seriously. Its position, he maintained, was that the investigation should cover all alleged wrongdoing attributed to Kumar.

“The issue is not confined to what happened in 2006. All allegations of corruption and irregularities must be investigated thoroughly,” Govindan said, reiterating the party’s demand for a wider inquiry into the Chief Election Commissioner’s conduct and actions in office.

He alleged that Kumar was functioning entirely in the BJP’s interests and had failed to discharge his responsibilities democratically. Claiming that protests against him were intensifying across the country, Govindan said there was a growing public demand for his removal.

Govindan accused Kumar of misusing his constitutional position and called for his removal from the post at the earliest. These allegations formed part of the CPI(M) leader’s criticism of the Chief Election Commissioner while speaking to journalists in Palakkad on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Govindan rejected controversial remarks about Malappuram district made by CPI(M) leader P. Nandakumar, making clear that they did not represent the party’s position.

He nevertheless maintained that the CPI(M) had consistently criticised what it described as communal positions associated with the Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami. That criticism, he indicated, was directed at their ideological positions rather than Malappuram district as a whole.

Govindan highlighted Malappuram’s contribution to the freedom struggle, describing it as a region with a proud history of resistance to imperialism. The district had stood alongside the national movement and produced prominent national leaders, he added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman