For CPI-M-backed channel, lottery more important than Karat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  For a TV channel backed by Kerala’s ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), it seems lottery draws are more important than general secretary Prakash Karat’s announcements.

While the party boss’s press briefing on Thursday after a four-day meeting of the party was being telecast live on People TV channel, there was a sudden break – to show live the draw of a private lottery.

The Congress was quick to remind that when the CPI-M was in opposition during 2001-06, its leaders were opposed to lottery schemes and used to allege that the United Democratic Front (UDF) government was dancing to the tune of the lottery mafia.

Former Congress legislator PT Thomas asked Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan to conduct a probe into links between Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and the lottery mafia.

Asked why the lottery was given priority over Karat’s briefing, the channel’s managing director John Britas said Saturday: “I am sorry, I am not aware of what happened, you have to ask others.”