Speaker M.B. Rajesh on Tuesday overruled a submission moved by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan to get Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to state on the record the government’s stance on the United Democratic Front (UDF) demand for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the UAE diplomatic baggage gold smuggling case.
Mr. Rajesh’s refusal to entertain the UDF submission prompted an Opposition walkout. The UDF accused Mr. Vijayan of stonewalling questions about the “damning” episode that allegedly “involved top insiders” in his previous administration.
Mr. Satheesan moved the submission in view of Union Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar's purported statement that the Centre was fully seized of the alleged sidestepping of foreign affairs protocol at the UAE consulate in Thiruvananthapuram. He said Mr. Jaishankar had pointedly said that Central agencies were investigating the matter and "the truth shall triumph".
