Chandy rules out resignation on solar scam charges
The Kerala chief minister dismissed the opposition’s claim that he had direct link with the duo involved in the scam
Thiruvananthapuram: The “solar panel" scam, which has brought the office of the Kerala chief minister— Oommen Chandy’s under a cloud, rocked the state assembly on Monday with Left Democratic Front (LDF) opposition stepping up their demand for the CM’s resignation after a judicial probe into the matter.
Asserting that the government had nothing to hide, Chandy rejected the demand and charged the opposition for “creating a smoke screen" of false allegations —for repeatedly taking up the issue in the house for the last few days despite transparent steps being administered in the case.
The LDF members, who stalled the question hour, raised the matter again in the zero hour. They shouted slogans and forced speaker G. Karthijeyan to adjourn the house for an hour.
When the house reassembled, the opposition kept up its protest and the speaker finally adjourned the house for the day after rushing through the business on the agenda.
Giving a detailed statement on the charge against him, Chandy said there was no substance whatsoever in the opposition’s charge that claimed he had direct link with the duo, Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan—who had cheated a large number of people by promising them solar panels, installation agencies and share in wind energy farms.
Chandy, however, admitted that the “liberal and unconditional access" to his office to the public had been misused by some and two personal staff members had been removed. He also said that the case is now being investigated by a special police team headed by assistant director general of police (south zone).
Chandy also made it clear that no one involved would be spared in the cheating case. Seeking to turn the tables on the opposition, he said the fraudulent deals by the company run by the duo, began its dealings during previous LDF rule and asked why no action was taken against them.
On the contrary, opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan said: “The chief minister is trying to hoodwink the people and mislead the house by giving flimsy explanations."
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