Thiruvananthapuram: With just two weeks left for the Aruvikkara byelection, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy stepped up his campaign for UDF candidate K.S. Sabarinathan and tried to capitalise on the reports that there was no evidence against Finance Minister K.M. Mani in the bargate.
Addressing a meeting at Nettirachira, he lashed out at the Opposition for raising the issue in the byelection and said the LDF would suffer a setback. He termed the bargate as an example of political hypocrisy and added that the interrogation of 309 witnesses had not yielded any results.
KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran also campaigned in the constituency. Mr Chandy told reporters that from newspaper reports it was clear that so far none had given statements against Mr Mani.
“It will be unfortunate if the LDF tries to make use of the bargate in Aruvikkara. They will suffer a setback,” said Mr Chandy.
Earlier, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had said that he would not interfere in the Vigilance inquiry against Mr Mani. “Those who were unhappy with the clean chit being given to Mr Mani can go to court and challenge the finding of the Vigilance,” he said. The investigation was concluded as per the advice given by the Vigilance legal advisor C. C. Augustine which was seconded by the ADGP, he said.
