Kerala: LDF renews its demand for resignation of CM Oommen Chandy on solar scam issue

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI-M led LDF opposition in Kerala on Monday renewed its demand for the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the wake of the Judicial Commission, appointed to probe the solar scam, deciding to take statements from Chandy on the issue.

As part of its agitation, LDF would stage a dharna in front of the secretariat and in district headquarters on January 5, party Convener Vakiom Viswam told reporters after a meeting of Front's liaison committee in Trivandrum. The Commission, headed by retired Kerala High Court judge G Sivarajan, has decided to call Chandy to testify before it as part of its inquiry.

The Commission was appointed in October last year following stir by the opposition after the scam came to light in July 2013. The case relates to duping of several persons by the two prime accused Saritha S Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan after promising to install solar power panels for them.

The LDF allegation is that Chandy and his office had favoured the accused. A staff member in Chandy's office was among those arrested in connection with the case.

Demanding the resignation of Finance Minister K M Mani on the bar bribery issue, Viswam said Chief Minister was protecting Mani in the case. LDF also wanted probe into the allegations levelled by KC-B MLA KB Ganeshkumar against the Public Works Department Ministry headed by V K Ebrahim Kunju of Indian Union Muslim League. LDF decided to launch a massive campaign in the state against the conversion programme organised by VHP, he said.