CPI(M) rallies behind Abdurahiman, plans protest at Tirur in Keralam’s Malappuram on November 20

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] will organise a public protest at Tirur on Friday (November 20) against the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s decision to order an inquiry into the alleged corruption in connection with the proposed visit of the Argentina football team to Keralam. The inquiry covers former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman, his private secretary C. Sathyapalan, and others.

CPI(M) Politburo member A. Vijayaraghavan will inaugurate the meeting. Party district secretary V.P. Anil and former Minister K.T. Jaleel will address the gathering.

In a statement, the CPI(M) district secretariat termed the inquiry politically motivated and said the party would challenge it both politically and legally.

The party said several State governments had made efforts to bring leading players and teams that had performed well in the World Cup and Olympics to their States. Football legends had also visited Keralam, with and without government support. Former Brazilian players recently played in Kochi, it pointed out.

The district secretariat alleged that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan was targeting Mr. Abdurahiman at the instance of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) to damage his political career for attempting to bring Lionel Messi and his Argentina team to Keralam.

It said plans to host matches featuring international players had been abandoned in the past, and that such developments were not unusual. The UDF government was creating an impression of corruption and irregularities over the issue to mislead the public, the CPI(M) alleged.

The party said that Mr. Abdurahiman had only supported the sponsor who took the initiative to bring the team, and that the arrangement did not cause any loss to the State exchequer. It also claimed that no complaint had been filed over the matter.

The statement further alleged that the IUML and UDF leaders had been targeting CPI(M)-aligned leaders who challenged the League’s influence in Malappuram. It cited Mr. Abdurahiman and Mr. Jaleel, who had defeated prominent IUML leaders to enter electoral politics.

It also pointed out that U. Sharaf Ali, a former international footballer from Malappuram, was appointed president of the Kerala State Sports Council during Mr. Abdurahiman’s tenure as Sports Minister.

The district secretariat said it would mobilise public support against attempts to portray Mr. Abdurahiman and others as corrupt without evidence. It also accused the UDF government of following the policies of the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre.