New Delhi/Kochi, Sep 25 - Senior Congress leader and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi Friday criticised Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Kerala secretary Pinarayi Vijayan for his demand to examine Defence Minister A.K. Antony in the SNC Lavalin corruption case.

'The people of Kerala know Antony very well,' Ravi told reporters when asked about the demand by Vijayan's counsel before a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court that Antony be examined in the SNC Lavalin scam.

Vijayan Thursday failed to appear before the special court in Kochi, and said he was not in good health.

His counsel M.K. Damodaran filed a special petition demanding that Antony should be examined in the case as he was chief minister in 1995 -- the year the consultancy agreement with Canadian company SNC Lavalin for three hydro-power projects was inked.

Vijayan was power minister when the Left Front government took office later and awarded the power plant renovation contract to Lavalin. Vijayan was accused of bungling in awarding this contract for the projects.

'It is a tactic (by Vijayan) to delay the case proceedings (against him),' Vayalar Ravi said.

Referring to Vijayan's criticism of the media and the party's charge against journalist-turned politician Sebastian Paul, a former CPI-M member of the Lok Sabha, Ravi said this was the best example of the Marxist party's 'Stalinist nature.'

'The Marxist party's Stalinist nature is evident in the state.