Kerala fishing contract: Cong releases more proof

The opposition Congress and the Lef t Front government in Kerala on Saturday continued to spar over the alleged deep sea fishing contract with a US-based firm, even as Fisheries minister J Mercykutty Amma dismissed the allegations and maintained there was no such agreement.

Stepping up his attack, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Ramesh Chennithala released a photo of the minister purportedly holding discussions with representatives of EMCC International.

The minister said Chennithala was tr ying to mislead the fishing community by raising baseless allegations ahead of

Rahul Gandhi's expected visit in coastal district Kollam next week.

Chennithala alleged that the photo, in which the minister, officials of EMCC Internationaland the fisheries department could be seen, was proof for the discussion held here between the government and the US based company.