Thiruvananthapuram: CPI-M led LDF government in Kerala continued its attack on congress for the appearance of party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi in the lottery case and said congress leadership should explain to people its policy on other state lotteries.
`Party spokesperson Singhvi had argued in the court on behalf of Megha Distributors, the promoters of Bhutan and Sikkim lotteries, that state had not power to control the operations in contrast to the stand taken by congress leaders in Kerala, State Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac said on Friday.
Issac said Singhvi, who withdrew from the case following protest from state congress leaders, did the same only after concluing his arguments in the case.
Issac also wanted Sighvi to explain to people of Kerala whether the position taken by him in the court that state has no power to check the operations of other state lotteries was
the same that of the congress national leadership.
It was also surprised to note that KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala and P T Thomas, MP, were travelling in the same flight in which Singhvi came to Kochi to argue the case, he said.
It was clear that Chennithala knew very well the travel purpose of Singhvi and KPCC`s protest later in the day was only to save its face, Issac said adding people of the state
knew now who protect the lottery mafia in the country.
Singhvi`s decision came after Congress in the state faced embarrassment over his appearance in the High Court for promoters of lotteries from outside the state at a time when the party is engaged in a bitter battle against the LDF government over the issue.
The two rival Fronts in Kerala have been engaged in a wordy duel over the lottery issue in the last few months. The UDF has taken it up as one of the major issues against LDF in
its campaign for civic polls next month.
As the lottery issue emerged into a big row, LDF government stopped accepting tax advance from promoters of Bhutan and Sikkim lotteries, citing violation of rules, resulting in virtual stoppage of sale of other state lottery tickets.
PTI
