Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to select women candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party, including T.N. Sarasu, who has been fielded from the Alathur constituency in Kerala.
During her telephonic conversation with Modi, Sarasu, a retired college principal, raised the issue of alleged irregularities in cooperative banks in the state and sought his intervention.
The prime minister assured her that strict action would be taken against those found guilty of the scam.
"I am happy that, as the candidate, you are taking the issue of the common man. It is a good thing for any public servant. I am happy to hear that you are raising the issue,” Modi told Sarasu.
"Our government will take strict action against everyone involved, and we will ensure that the poor get justice. One more thing, Sarasu ji, I would like to tell you is that I will take legal advice and (ensure that) whatever property the ED (Enforcement Directorate) will attach...the common man's money, I will see that each and every paisa is returned to the person concerned.” Modi further said.
The alleged irregularities in the CPI(M)-controlled cooperative banks are a major campaign plank for the opposition parties in the state. The Enforcement Directorate, which is investigating the case has already arrested a few individuals and interrogated local leaders of the ruling party.
One of the major scams was reported at Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank in Thrissur, a constituency on which the BJP pins high hopes.
During their interaction, Sarasu told Modi about her struggles as a principal at the Government Victoria College in Palakkad.
"I was trying to do my duty in college. There were leftist teachers at the college. They wanted the principal to work according to their wishes. I was not ready for that. I never gave any importance to those students or teachers. I was a teacher there for 25 years and worked as principal for one year," she said.
Sarasu retired from the prestigious 127-year-old college in 2016. When she retired, activists of the CPI(M)'s student outfit SFI had allegedly prepared a symbolic 'grave' for her as a 'retirement gift'.
In Alathur, Sarasu will take on sitting MP of Congress Ramya Haridas and K. Radhakrishnan, CPI(M) candidate and state devaswom minister.
