Bypoll result a clear rejection of corruption charges: Chandy

The UDF victory in Aruvikkara is seen as a personal triumph of Chandy, who had to bear the brunt of allegations of the solar scam and bar bribe

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said the Congress led UDF victory in Aruvikkara bypoll was a clear rejection of the various corruption charges levelled against his government and the politics of violence unleashed by opposition CPI(M) led LDF.

The UDF victory in Aruvikkara is seen as a personal triumph of Chandy, who had to bear the brunt of the opposition attack on allegations of solar scam and bar bribe with demands for his resignation.

Talking to reporters at the assembly media room as the session is on, a beaming Chief Minister said the opposition had failed to cut any ice with the electorate.

"They raised mere allegations. They could not convince the electorate or fight it legally," Chandy said.

"Personally, if there was even 1% of truth in the allegations, I am of the opinion that I have no right to continue in office," he said rubbishing the charges raised vociferously by LDF in the assembly and during the campaign.

"People of the state are peace loving and will not accept the bomb culture and politics of violence persued by the marxist party," he said.

On the charge by CPI(M) leaders V S Achuthanandan and party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan that there was free flow of money and liqour at Aruvikkara, he said he was pained to hear that. The marxist party was a poor loser and the statement was an 'insult to the electorate', he said.

Pointing out that scores of home makers had gathered during his family meetings during the campaign, he said they had praised the government's act in closing down liqour bars. In fact, this victory is a vote against liqour, he said.

Attributing the victory to the united efforts of all the coalition partners, he said each of them stood united to fight the bypoll.

The UDF government had worked unitedly during the last four years and none of his cabinet colleagues disagreed with any of the decisions taken.

Chandy, in a word of advise to the marxist party, said they should learn lessons from the defeat and mend their ways.

In the assembly, Chandy was kept updated about the poll trend by the young MLAs. When the victory margin crossed 10,000-- young MLAs P C Vishnunath and Shafi Parambil were seen rushing to the CM's seat sharing the news with him.

The solar scam relates to the cheating of several persons by Saritha S Nair and her accomplice Biju Radhakrishnan, by offering solar solutions using the name of higherups, including that of the CM.

The bar bribe scam relates to charges of bribery against Finance Minister K M Mani for opening closed bars.