Left to block Chandy's mass contact programme

The opposition Left Front Monday directed all its activists to block Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's much acclaimed and UN award winning "mass contact programme".

Now in its third edition, the mass contact programme will cover Kerala's all 14 districts and the first event is scheduled for Oct 18.

During the programme, Chandy will meet people and listen to their complaints and ensure that these are sorted out by following it up with officials.

Speaking to IANS, Left Front convenor Vaikom Viswan said that ever since the solar panel scam broke out the Left Front parties have been blocking the chief minister's programmes.

"\We have decided to intensify our blockades and our activists will show black flags at all his programmes. At the moment I am unable to say if his mass contact programme that has been announced will go on smoothly," said Viswan.

It was for his mass contact initiative that Chandy received the prestigious United Nations Global Award for Public Service in the Bahrain June 27.

On the Left's threat to stage protests, the chief minister said there would be no change in his programme.

He said those who were opposing the programme were against the people.

Earlier, Chandy once postponed the programme over the Left's protest, but after clarifying his position on solar panel scam he decided to resume his mass contact programme.

Like earlier, people can register their complaints in advance either on the chief minister's website or walk into any IT department-supported Akshaya centre to file their complaints.

The last event of Chandy's programme would be held in Idukki district Dec 9.