Chandy attacks Left for 'playing politics' after tragedy

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday attacked the Left for trying to score brownie points following the horrific tragedy in a Kerala temple.

Chandy was reacting to the remarks by CPI-M leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who on Tuesday sought the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala in the wake of the Sunday disaster.

A large stock of fireworks exploded at the Puttingal Devi temple in the coastal town of Paravur in Kollam district when thousands of people were gathered.

The tragedy also injured over 350 people, many seriously.

The Marxist leader said there were shortcomings the way the home department handled the entire event.

Chandy told the media that Balakrishnan appeared to have forgotten that the Sabarimala and Thekkady boat tragedies took place when the latter was a minister in 2006-11.

"We as a responsible opposition never uttered a word against the government or the way things were handled but lent our full support to the government to minimize the suffering of the people," he said.

"There were numerous shortcomings of the government then, but we did not ask for his resignation."