Slamming the CPI(M) for giving a clean chit to its Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan in a corruption case, the Congress on Monday said this showed the true character of the Left parties which claim to be principled.

"The episode shows the true character of the Left..... With considerable astonishment, we find that with one voice the party and the (Kerala) government is supporting corruption and corruption charges," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters in New Delhi.

He said that the Left considers itself a notch above the rest and is supposedly cadre based, more disciplined and has been preaching others on issues of corruption.

"But in Kerala, they have given an advance chit of innocence to Vijayan without any investigation even as criminal charges are pending," he said.

Describing it as a "strange spectacle of CPI and CPI (M)" wherein they are against enquiry on charges of corruption and embezzlement, he said such a character of the Left became known in Singur and Nandigram.

"Singur and Nandigram showed the true face and character of the Left and now the episode in Kerala," Singhvi said adding that the charges against Vijayan figured several years ago but the Left did not take note of it.

Referring to the corruption charges against Vijayan, he said when a clear picture emerged in the High Court, the state government said that no prosecution sanction would be given.

Singhvi said, fortunately there was a Supreme Court judgement on the matter and then the governor sanctioned prosecution.

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