Chandy asks LDF to reconsider their agitation plan

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said he would not resign over the solar panel scam unless his party Congress wished so and asked the CPI-M led LDF opposition to reconsider its agitation targeting him as they had failed to bring any evidence against him.

'My party has entrusted me with certain responsibilities and I will continue to do that. But, I will not remain for a second, if party asks me to quit,' said Chandy, whose office has come under a cloud following links of some of his staff with the scam accused.

Reiterating his charge that the LDF campaign for his resignation was 'politically motivated', he told reporters here that the opposition should re-examine their decision to continue the agitation as they have 'failed' to bring any evidence to link him with the scam.

'I will not comment on the progress of the case and I will not infer also. The investigation team has the free hand to identify the culprits,' he said.

Chandy was responding to a question on the statement of father of Tenny Joppan, former personal assistant in the CMO who has been arrested in connection with the case, who has alleged that his son has been made a scapegoat.

He ridiculed the reported attempt of LDF to topple the UDF government by wooing Kerala Congress (M). 'With their move, the real intention of LDF is out,' Chandy said adding 'no one should day dream that they could topple this government'.

Chandy has been under attack from the LDF over the scam, which pertains to cheating of several persons of huge sums by accused Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan offering solar energy business deals.

They had allegedly flaunted their 'influence' with some persons in the CMO.

Backing Chandy, Congress central leadership has ruled out any leadership change in the state over the issue.