Minister E Chandrashekharan, A-G Sudhakara Prasad spar over Thomas Chandy case

Thiruvananthapuram: Sharp differences have surfaced between Revenue Minister E. Chandrashekharan and Advocate-General Sudhakara Prasad over who should appear for the government in the case pertaining to the allegations against Transport Minister Thomas Chandy in connection with the reclamation of the lake.

While the minister wants Additional Advocate-General Ranjith Thamban to appear in the case, the AG is sticking with state attorney K.V. Sohan.

The AG has made it clear that he had the discretion to decide who will appear for the government. His reaction was in response to the minister’s letter demanding that the AAG should appear in the case. The minister wrote to the AG following the strong stand taken by his party CPI which believes that in cases involving huge public interest, the government and revenue department officials should not face any setback.

The party is upset over the change in the usual practice of AAG appearing in revenue cases. It was done without taking them into confidence.

The AG has pointed out that under the present circumstances, there was no need to shift the state attorney from appearing in the case.

He, however, said the advocate would be changed if the chief minister desired so. His office said the case would be taken forward keeping the state’s interest intact.