T’puram: CPM state secretary M V Govindan termed the clean chit given to chief minister V D Satheesan in connection with alleged foreign fund collection for the Punarjani rehabilitation project unusual and mysterious. He alleged that Satheesan was exonerated despite evidence that funds were collected from abroad.The law does not permit an MLA to collect foreign contributions. Since the allegations involved foreign contributions, the matter should have been investigated with the assistance of central agencies, said Govindan on Thursday.Govindan alleged that Satheesan did not obtain necessary permission to visit UK for fund collection. He also played a video purportedly showing Satheesan explaining, on behalf of Manappat Foundation, how contributions from non-resident Keralites would be used to rehabilitate flood victims.Earlier, LDF had alleged that the foundation collected around Rs 1.27 crore from Keralites living abroad for the project.But the vigilance department found the allegations against Satheesan unfounded and said there was no evidence against him. It also found that the foundation had legal permission to receive foreign contributions. Satheesan launched Punarjani after the 2018 floods to rehabilitate affected families.
