NPC minister resigns to facilitate corruption probe against him

A Northern Provincial Council (NPC) minister yesterday temporarily stepped down from his portfolio until allegations of corruption, abuse of power and misuse of funds were fully probed.

Education, Sports and Cultural Affairs Minister T. Gurukularaja conveyed his decision to the General Secretary of his partythe Illankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK)- Mavai Senathraja yesterday.

He said the allegations were baseless and, until the allegations were probed, he was stepping down. The move came after a three-member committee appointed by Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran submitted a report last week on allegations against Mr Gurukularaja and the Provincial Agriculture Minister P. Ingaranesan.

After the report was handed over to the CM, a majority of the members in the Council, both, from the ruling party and the opposition, demanded that the two ministers be removed with immediate effect.

The CM informed the Council that both ministers had been given time till yesterday to submit their explanations. However, both of them ignored the directive.

Opposition Leader in Parliament, R. Sampanthan, who is also the TNA Parliamentary group leader, said he would not get involved in the NPC matters, and the CM would have to take a decision.

The Committee is also probing allegations against two other minister in the NPC.