Anil Antony Calls Bribery Allegations Made By TG Nandakumar 'Dirty Politics'
According to Nandakumar, the bribery was taken by Anil Antony in April 2013, The context of this accusation is that Antony purportedly received Rs 25 lakh for the appointment of a standing counsel, citing his connection with Sinha.
Anil Antony, competing for the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat for Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), strongly refused the allegations made against him that he accepted Rs 25 lakh to appoint a standing counsel for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Kerala High Court. These accusations were brought forward by TG Nandakumar, also known as "Dalal (broker) Nandakumar." who has made the same accusations against him in the past as well.
Antony denied the allegations, connecting them to the opposition's fear of his potential victory. Anil Antony said that these accusations are unwarranted and have no reliability to them. He stated that these claims are part of a larger conspiracy planned by individuals with shady backgrounds. He also took a shot at Nandakumar, who have faced criminal charges of his own in the past including theft of a temple idol. Anil Antony, a Stanford graduate and son of Accomplished Congress leader AK Antony, proclaimed his refusal to engage in such conspiracies.
Talking further in detail, Anil Antony explained his connection with Congress veteran P J Kurian, who introduced him to Nandakumar. However, Antony claimed to have cut all ties with Nandakumar because he started asking him for favors, including seeking judicial transfers. Anil Antony himself accused Kurian of betrayal and claimed that Nandakumar had settled cases for Kurian in the past, implying a vested interest in implicating him.
Kurian, even though expressed confidence in the integrity of Anil Antony by saying that he had involvement in the alleged bribery controversy, still backed Nandakumar's allegations. stating that Nandakumar reached out to him to retrieve the bribe money paid to Antony. Kurian claimed that he advised Antony to return the money in installments. Kurian did not disregard Antony's association with the former CBI director, Ranjith Sinha as well, which Nandakumar had cited as evidence of the alleged transaction.
According to Nandakumar, the bribery was taken by Anil Antony in April 2013, The context of this accusation is that Antony purportedly received Rs 25 lakh for the appointment of a standing counsel, citing his connection with Sinha. This scandal sheds light on the severity of political rivalries and the accusations of corruption that often tag along whenever there are electoral campaigns.
Amid these accusations and counter statements, the voters of Pathanamthitta have to differentiate between facts and fiction. The outcome of this controversy would undoubtedly influence the electorate's decision as they headed to the polls in the Lok Sabha elections.
