Kerala Home Minister and CPM politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has been accused of hosting underworld dons and known criminals at his son’s wedding celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram last Friday.

K Surendran, state president of BJP’s youth outfit, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, stated on Tuesday that the wedding reception itself was sponsored by a businessman under a cloud for the controversial ISRO land deal in Thiruvananthapuram, Xavi Mano Mathew. Mathew had booked the hall for the reception in his own name, Surendran said.

After the land scandal broke, the Left Government had denied that Mathew had any clout in the Government — though the Government had nominated Mathew, who had made some films too, as a director of the state Film Development Corporation. The Home Minister himself was earlier alleged to have been staying in a house that Mathew owned.

Surendran maintained it was significant that no state political leader attended the reception. He alleged the function was attended by many shady elements from Dubai and Kuwait, besides “some of underworld don Dawood’s gang”. Surendran has said he would substantiate the charges, and has dared the CPM and VS Achuthanandan to respond.