In the wake of Kerala CPI (M) State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's elder son Binoy Balakrishnan's legal troubles in Dubai, the state units of the opposition Congress and the BJP asked the veteran politician to quit public life.
On Monday, the CPI (M) veteran's son Bineesh Kodiyeri told the media in Thiruvananthapuram that "there is a ban on Binoy to travel out of Dubai. He will remain there and deal with the case, according to the laws there".
Binoy told reporters on phone from Dubai that his passport had not been impounded and that he will soon approach a higher court in Dubai against the lower court's directive regarding him.
State Bharatiya Janata Party President Kummanem Rajasekheran said Kodiyeri had lied about his son last month that there is "no case against my son in Dubai".
"He should exit public life, but not before telling all as to what his son's business is. If he has nothing to hide, why can't he reveal the nature of his son's business in Dubai. Or, is it some business that is shameful and can't be revealed? What has come out is only a tip of the iceberg. In the coming days, even bigger scams will surface," said Rajasekheran.
Kodiyeri is a former legislator and state Home Minister and hence the people wish to know what is happening, the BJP leader said.
Senior Congress leader Benny Behanan said Kodiyeri should immediately quit as CPI (M) office-bearer since reports go contrary to what all he was claiming so far.
"There is a moral obligation on Kodiyeri to quit after what all has surfaced," said Behanan.
However, denying media reports on his brother, Bineesh said: "Wrong news is being circulated about my brother. This is being done on purpose... just because we are the sons of the Kerala CPI (M) State Secretary, it's unfair to say we can't engage in business.
"You (media) are saying he (Binoy) has to pay Rs 13 crore to a Dubai businessman. Today, the businessman said there is a dispute of Rs 1.72 crore only. Since my brother is in no urgent need to travel to India, he will remain in Dubai and come once things are settled."
The case surfaced when a three-page letter dated January 5 from H.I.A.Al Marzooqi, sponsor of the Dubai company, was last month made available to the media that he had started legal proceedings against Binoy for an alleged fraud of Rs 13 crore.
Though the Arab businessman planned to hold a press meet at the Trivandrum Press Club on February 5, a court in Kollam district last week directed there should be no reference by anyone in the case till March 6.
The court order came on a petition by Sreejith Pillai, son of a Left-supported legislator Vijayan Pillai, who according to Marzooqi owes him money. Sreejith and Binoy are friends and have business interests in Dubai.
Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said the court order has to be followed, but the courts should ensure that truth is brought out.
The CPI (M) leadership on Monday said that what had happened in Dubai has got nothing to do with the party.