Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Ernakulam district secretary S. Sathish on Friday (July 31, 2026) accused Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan of misusing his power by letting Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala to pronounce a clean chit to him in the alleged corruption charges linked to the ‘Punarjani’ flood rehabilitation scheme implemented in Paravur Assembly constituency.

Mr. Sathish said the party will launch both legal and political action against the government decision to close the probe by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) within 70 days of coming into power.

He described Mr. Chennithala’s public announcement as “unprecedented” while claiming that no other Chief Minister in the past had permitted a Minister in his Cabinet to announce a clean chit over allegations raised against them.

‘Acted in haste’

The Home Minister, who launched the Project Zero-‘Vigilance whistle’ campaign against corruption, has acted in haste by absolving Mr. Satheesan of the allegations of violating the provisions of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) while trying to source foreign funds for the Punarjani project, he alleged.

The VACB report was made public by the Home Minister even before presenting it before the court, he alleged.

Mr. Sathish claimed that there was evidence to show that Mr. Satheesan had solicited funds from abroad for the Punarjani project and it amounted to violations of the norms prescribed under the FCRA. He alleged that the charges warranted a probe by a Central agency as Mr. Satheesan had directly appealed for donations from abroad.

Mr. Sathish further alleged that the proponents of the project have not yet disclosed the list of beneficiaries who had received houses so far.

Published - July 31, 2026 06:32 pm IST