Thiruvananthapuram, July 7 : Stepping down as State Minister for Culture and Fisheries over his anti-Constitutional speech does not spell the end of troubles for Saji Cherian as another case has been registered against him in Keezhvaipur Police station in the connection with the same remark.
The police have registered a case under sections of Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act against Cherian.
As a part of the inquiry, statements of those present at the CPI-M party meeting held at Mallapally in Pathanamthitta district on Sunday will be recorded.
Two Left ruling front legislators – a former State Minister Mathew T.Thomas and first time legislator Pramod Narayan were among those present.
If found guilty, Saji Cherian will have to face imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Meanwhile, the Congress and the BJP have raised a fresh demand that Cherian should quit as a legislator too, as he took his oath as a legislator embracing the Constitution.
On Thursday morning, Cherian, who met the media in front of his ministerial home that he will have to vacate soon, said that his spirits are very high and he has no issues and is on his way to the Assembly, where the ongoing session is being held.
And moving out from the Minister’s seat in the front bench in the Assembly, he has now been given a seat in the second row.
Cherian, on Sunday, said that the Indian Constitution gives ample scope for “loot” of the people putting the CPI-M in a spot.
Soon after the visuals of Cherian’s “blatant attack” on the Constitution at a party meeting held in Pathanamthitta district became public on Tuesday, the Congress-led opposition and also the BJP in the state launched massive protests demanding his resignation.
The visuals that surfaced in TV channels were taken from the Facebook of the CPI-M’s local party unit at Mallapally.
And starting from Tuesday, TV channels went hammer and tongs against Cherian and on Wednesday he had to quit, following tremendous pressure, especially from the national headquarters of the CPI-M in Delhi.
Cherian put up a weak defence on Tuesday in the assembly saying that he did not intend to portray the Constitution in a “poor light” and that his remark has been “misconstrued” and apologised for it.
Meanwhile, the Chengannur unit of CPI-M, which had reportedly planned to throw a party for him, has called it off.
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