685 cases against LDF candidates: Chandy

Seeking to turn the tables, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said 685 cases had been filed against CPI-M-led LDF candidates, who are contesting in the May 16 Assembly elections.
Chandy, who has filed a defamation case against CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan for his recent allegation about cases pending against him and his cabinet colleagues, said there are 617 cases against the candidates of CPI(M) alone.
As many as six cases were against Achutanandan himself, Chandy said in a press note here.
Out of this, five are the defamation suits filed by UDF leaders and one regarding his participation in an agitation in front of the secretariat here, it was stated.

As many as 11 cases, including a graft case, were against CPI(M) polit bureau member Pinary Vijayan, he said adding that the highest number of cases -- 57 -- was against journalist-turnedCPI(M) candidate M V Nikesh Kumar.
Nikesh Kumar, who is making debut in the electoral battle from Azhikode in Kannur district, is the son of former UDF minister and late CMP leader M V Raghavan.

Chandy maintained that there was no case against him.
It was also pointed out that a total of 106 cases are against UDF candidates, of them 79 were against Congress nominees.
A total of 152 cases are against candidates of BJP and its partner BDJS, the press note added.

Denying Achutanandan's allegations, Chandy had last month filed a defamation suit against him seeking Rs one lakh compensation and restraining the 93-year-old leader from making such 'false' allegations.