Thiruvananthapuram: With majority of the members of CPI state executive favouring strong action and CPM state secretariat asking Thomas Chandy to take appropriate decision considering the seriousness of the issue, pressure is building on the tainted transport minister to resign.
At the CPI state executive meeting at MN Smarakam here, majority of members wanted action against Chandy in the wake of serious allegations of reclamation of paddy land and lake. Sources said at the meet CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran endorsed their views and said the party was of the opinion that the minister should step down immediately.
The party felt that there was no need to seek legal opinion from AG as collector’s report which had pointed out serious violation, was enough to proceed against the minister. The CPI believes that the government's image will take big hit the tainted minister is allowed to continue in the ministry even for a minute.
Meanwhile, there is a marked change in CPM stand on the issue. Earlier the party leadership had backed the minister saying that he need not resign based on media reports. Even after Collector’s damning report, the party continued to play safe and decided to seek legal opinion AG C.P. Sudhakara Prasad to buy time. However, with the High Court’s adverse remark questioning government’s soft approach towards Mr Chandy and the adverse public opinion that the issue is generating, the CPM leadership is now keen on an early solution to the controversial issue.
The government has received legal opinion from AG. He has advised the government to wait till the final verdict of court on the issue. Since the minister has challenged the collector's report in court, the High Court's verdict would be decisive in the matter. It is up to the government to wait till the final verdict or proceed against the minister straightaway. The Chief Minister can also take a call on the matter.
Earlier, revenue minister told mediapersosns that he had examined the Collector’s report and conveyed his views. Subsequently the decision to seek AG’s opinion was also taken. He said his party would take an appropriate decision at the right time.
