Kerala CM Vijayan alleges conspiracy behind bribe allegations against Health Minister's office

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), October 7 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday claimed that a well-orchestrated conspiracy was behind the recent bribery allegations directed at the personal assistant of State Health Minister Veena George.
In a statement today, the chief minister said that allegations that "a main person in the health minister's office" indulged in corruption were not only false but also part of a calculated plot.
Vijayan said, "The bribe allegation against the health minister's office was part of a conspiracy. Some persons and media organisations are involved."
Controversy arose following an accusation that a bribe of approximately Rs one lakh had been handed over to the health minister's personal assistant in exchange for the appointment of a homeo medical officer in Malappuram.
Police investigation into the case has uncovered significant inconsistencies.
Chief Minister Vijayan emphasized that the individual accused in the allegations was not even present in Thiruvananthapuram when the complainant claimed to have met and given cash.
This lack of evidence has led to doubts surrounding the validity of the allegations from the outset.
During a political cluster meeting in Thalassery, chief minister Vijayan said, "How can one tarnish political opponents through falsehoods? This conspiracy operated on multiple levels, aiming to deceive the public and damage reputations."
He said that the entire scandal had been fabricated as part of a broader conspiracy and that the baseless accusations had little traction due to the absence of concrete evidence.
Vijayan said, "There was propaganda recently that a main person in the health minister's office indulged in corruption. There was not much life for the propaganda that's because the person against whom the allegation was raised was not there in Thiruvananthapuram during that time. Though there was no proof the propaganda continued".
"This news was created as part of a conspiracy and was planted deliberately to mislead the public," he stated.
The Kerala Chief Minister also said that both individuals and media organization have played a role in propagating the false allegations.
He noted that, over time, the truth emerged, leading to the apprehension of those behind the alleged conspiracy.
While a former office secretary of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Pathanamthitta has been arrested in connection with the case, the police said they have encountered difficulties as the complainants are no longer cooperating with the investigation. (ANI)