Thiruvananthapuram, 10 Nov (H.S.): Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 10: Kerala Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday alleged that the cancellation of the GNA power agreement had exposed a massive corruption attempt by the state government, which sought to create an artificial electricity crisis to justify purchasing power at exorbitant rates.

Vijayan claimed that the government had deliberately spread fears of an impending power shortage and possible power cuts to impose an enormous financial burden on consumers.

He said the cancellation vindicated the Opposition’s consistent position that Kerala was not facing any genuine electricity crisis.

Demanding a judicial inquiry headed by a High Court judge, Vijayan alleged that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan had personally intervened to facilitate the controversial agreement despite objections from the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).

According to him, the government attempted to award a high-priced power procurement contract to a private intermediary platform that neither generated electricity nor functioned as a licensed power trader.

He alleged that the agreement was pursued without competitive tendering, raising serious questions about transparency and financial propriety.

Vijayan also criticised the Chief Minister for allegedly keeping the Electricity Minister, who also serves as KPCC president, uninformed about crucial departmental decisions, including the cancellation of the agreement.

Such actions, he argued, undermined the constitutional principle of collective responsibility within the Cabinet.

The Opposition Leader further questioned the reported purchase of 200 MW of electricity from VEN Global in October at Rs 11 per unit, allegedly through the Chief Minister’s Office without tendering or regulatory approval.

He accused the government of attempting to shield those responsible by announcing an investigation based on a former KSEB chairman’s report and shifting responsibility onto officials.

Vijayan demanded that the Chief Minister disclose the beneficiaries of the alleged irregularities and explain why major electricity procurement decisions were taken without consulting the department’s minister.

The allegations have not been independently established.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman