'Perception Of Sisodia Being Targetted Should Be Dispelled: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Writes To PM Modi

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the arrest of former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia citing the "voice of protest" raised by several opposition leaders

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the arrest of former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia citing the "voice of protest" raised by several opposition leaders. He said in a letter that the widespread perception that Sisodia is being targetted has to be dispelled.

This comes days after nine opposition leaders writing to PM Modi stating that the arrest appears to suggest that, "We have transitioned from being a democracy to an autocracy".

In the letter, the Kerala CM stated, "I write this letter to invite the kind attention of the Hon'ble Prime Minister to the voices of protest that are being raised by leaders of several opposition parties, including some State Chief Ministers, on the arrest of Manish Sisodia."

"While refraining from commenting on the merits of the case under investigation, let me submit that the arrest of Sisodia has lent further force to the argument about certain actions of the central investigation agencies.

"It is the golden principle of natural justice that justice should not only be done but seem to be done too," he further added in the letter.

Stating that Sisodia is an elected representative of the people and has been appearing before the investigating agencies in response to their summons, he said in the letter that unless the arrest was imperative for preventing the impediment to the investigation, the desirable act would have been to avoid it.

"As per information coming out in public domain, nothing incriminating like cash seizure has taken place in the case of Sisodia. While the law has to take its course, it is equally important that the widespread perception that Sisodia is being targeted for political reasons need to be dispelled. As we emphasise the principle of cooperative federalism, excessive actions on the part of anyone concerned should be avoided," he maintained in the letter.

"In this matter, I hope that guidance from PM Modi will go a long way in changing the present perception, which is reflected in the letter of important political leaders including some chief ministers in this matter," he concluded the letter.