Messi visit row: Kerala BJP demands CBI probe into alleged irregularities

Kerala BJP has demanded a CBI probe into alleged procedural and financial irregularities in the previous LDF government's plan to bring Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team to the State, alleging fraud, GST evasion and misuse of government name

Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP in Kerala on Friday demanded a CBI probe into alleged procedural and financial irregularities in the previous LDF government’s plan to bring star player Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team to the state.

Addressing a press conference here, senior BJP leader S Suresh demanded that Chief Minister V D Satheesan hand over the investigation into the allegations to the central agency.

---

“This is a fraud connected with an international agreement involving Argentina and other countries. It has links with embassies and international connections. Crores of rupees have allegedly been swindled by misusing the name of the state government,” Suresh alleged.

He alleged that former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M) were involved in the alleged “loot” and urged the Satheesan government to hand over the case to the CBI.

Suresh questioned whether the UDF government would reach a “deal” or understanding with the previous LDF government and Vijayan to settle the issue.

He said details of alleged GST evasion linked to the matter had emerged and demanded that a criminal case be registered and the accused arrested.

Suresh said the report detailing the alleged financial dealings in the matter was pending before Satheesan.

He claimed that the sponsor had signed the agreement for the Argentina team’s proposed visit and later amended it without the state government’s knowledge.

He alleged that when a USD 4-million penalty was imposed for violation of the contract, the state government wrote to the Argentine ambassador saying the penalty would affect the state’s financial position.

“How would that affect the state’s financial position?” he asked.

Suresh also urged the Satheesan government to ensure that the complete ‘Vande Mataram’ is sung in accordance with the law, saying the state government was bound to follow the legislation passed by Parliament.