KANNUR: Union minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi today said that the Kerala finance minister, Dr T M Thomas Isaac, should reply to the charges levelled against him by congress with regard to the illegal lotteries functioning in the state.

Speaking at a Congress Convention organised by the Kannur district Congress Committee here, Ravi alleged that Isaac was throwing challenges for a debate on the issue every day before the print and visual media.

Instead of throwing challenges, Isaac should reply to congress leader V D Satheesan, MLA, who had raised the issue first in the assembly, he said.

Satheesan had also demanded a CBI probe into the lottery issue.

Leader of Opposition, Oommen Chandy, said debate between the LDF and UDF was not the answer to the lottery issue, but stringent action was needed against illegal functioning lotteries in the state.

Among those spoke include K C Venugopal and K Sudhakaran, both MPs.

Later speaking to mediapersons, Ravi said that minor amendment will be brought in the Emigration law to prevent people illegal going to gulf.

Ravi said he will take up the issue of cancellation of air India Express flight services to gulf region, with the concerned minister.