Embarrassment for Kerala BJP as internal probe reveals leaders took bribe for medical college

An internal investigation conducted by a BJP panel headed by K P Sreesan and A K Nazeer has revealed an alleged bribe being paid to a BJP leader for attaining recognition for a private medical college in the state. 

 

The investigation was carried out based on a complaint by R Shaji chairman of S R Educational and Charitable Trust, Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram who had alleged that he had paid Rs 5.60 crore to BJP leader R S Vinod to get MCI sanction for his medical college, The Indian Express reported. 

 

On Thursday, the CPI(M) raised the issue in Parliament and asked for a CBI probe. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala too has demanded a CBI investigation.

 

The two-member probe committee found that a party leader confessed he had taken the money from the owner of a medical college to be allegedly paid to MCI authorities in Delhi, according to The Indian Express. The money was allegedly accepted for granting permissions to SR medical college and was handed over to an agent in New Delhi. 

 

Shaji however later realised that the money he had paid had not reached the MCI authorities.

 

The name of BJP state general secretary, MT Ramesh has also been mentioned in the complaint, according to Mathrubhumi. However, Ramesh has denied any connection with the alleged bribery. 

 

The BJP core committee meeting that will be held in Alappuzha next week will consider the report.

Responding to the probe report, BDJS leader Vellapally Nadesan said on Thursday, “What is happening in BJP right now is a fight between those who took the money and those who did not get the money. The thief is in our midst.”