Chandy files defamation case against Achuthanandan

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday filed a Rs.1 lakh defamation case against CPI-M leader V.S. Achuthanandan after he said there were 136 cases of corruption against Chandy and his cabinet colleagues.

Achuthanandan, at an election rally in Kannur earlier this week, said there were as many as 31 cases of corruption registered against the chief minister.

Chandy threatened that if Achuthanandan did not withdraw his statement, he would take legal steps.

In his petition filed at a court here, Chandy said Achuthanandan made the "baseless" statement to belittle him and his colleagues ahead of the May 16 Kerala assembly polls.

Earlier on Thursday, Chandy in his Facebook page said that while there was not a single case against him or his cabinet ministers, there were cases against Achuthanandan and quite a few candidates from the Left Front opposition.

Chandy said there was a corruption case filed with the vigilance department against Achuthanandan in a land deal case.

He said the Left Front candidate from Azhikode, M.V. Nikesh Kumar -- a journalist who co-owns the Reporter TV channel -- said in his affidavit that there were 54 cases against him for dishonour of cheques.

The chief minister said CPI-M politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan is named in the SNC Lavalin corruption case that is being heard in the Kerala High Court.

Chandy said other leaders contesting from the Left opposition who have cases against them include T.V. Rajesh, James Mathew, Antony Raju, A.A. Rasheed and Naushad.

"The truth is that while there are no cases against me or my cabinet ministers, there are cases against Achuthanandan and others and by now the people of Kerala have come to know the truth," said Chandy.

--IANS

sg/pm/vt