Former minister and senior Congress leader K.K. Ramachandran Master on Tuesday wept publicly while alleging that PCC chief Ramesh Chennithala and Opposition leader Oommen Chandy had ostracised him since he refused to be ‘corrupt’.
He also said that many leaders had wangled tickets in the present Assembly elections by paying huge money.
“Chandy and Chennithala are destroying the party and in five years the Congress will be in tatters in Kerala,” said Mr Ramachandran, between sobs. “There is no freedom of speech in the party. Whenever I try to speak they shout me down. I can’t bear it anymore.”
Mr Ramachandran, who was health minister in the Chandy government, said he had lost his ministership since he refused to approve a project of Travancore Titanium that smacked of corruption. “Both Chandy and Chennithala called me and threatened me,” he said. “I did not budge and soon I lost my ministership.”
Mr Ramachandran was forced to quit the UDF cabinet in January 2006 following media leaks that he threatened officials against revealing corruption in transfers and postings.
“Since then I have been isolated in the Congress,” he said. “If this continues, I will go and lie down before the KPCC office. I know who all gave money to get seats and will reveal their names at the right time.”
However, Mr Chandy strongly refuted the allegations and said that candidates were decided as per proper procedure. Mr Chennithala also denied the charges and said action would be taken against Mr Ramachandran for violating party discipline.