Ker Govt braces for LDF stir; seeks CRPF deployment

Congress-led UDF government in Kerala has requisitioned central paramilitary forces and enforced a slew of measures to face the LDF's proposed indefinite siege of the secretariat from Monday over the solar panel scam.
In what could be the biggest protest to be witnessed by the state capital, LDF plans to mobilize around one lakh workers as part of its stepped-up campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over the multi-crore rupee scam which has brought his office under a cloud.
Home Minister Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan told reporters here that measures to deal with the situation had been taken and that seeking central forces and other steps were normally expected of a state government when this kind of situation arose.

Taking a serious note of the siege campaign, especially its timing in the run up to Independence Day celebrations, the state government had already asked the Centre to rush a few companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Seeking to avoid the risk of such a large convergence of protesters in the city, police have instructed hoteliers and lodges not to accommodate the voulunteers expected from all over the state.
The Thiruvananthapuram District Collector has already declared two days holiday from Monday for educational institutions here keeping in view possible traffic disruption and other inconvenience to be caused by such a large convergence of protesters.

Accusing the government of resorting to 'facist methods' to choke the agitation planned to be carried out 'in a peaceful manner', senior CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the protest would not be given up under threat.

According to CPI(M) leader and LDF convener Vaikom Viswan, some one lakh LDF volunteers would lay a siege to the secretariat blocking entry and exit through its four gates.
As the lead partner of LDF, CPI(M) alone would be mobilising about 75,000 volunteers through its nearly 25,000 branch committees in the state.
National leaders of the Left and allied parties, including CPI(M)'s Prakash Karat and CPI's Sudhakar Reddy, would be addressing the protesters.

Solar scam, rocking the state for some two months, has brought Chandy under a cloud, especially after the arrest of one of his aides for his alleged links with the accused.
The scam pertains to financial cheating of several people by the accused Biju Radkahrishnan and Saritha Nair, both under arrest, by offering clients solar energy solutions.
The accused allegedly flaunted their clout with the CM's office for duping the unsuspecting clients of huge sums.
Ever since it surfaced, LDF has been pressing for Chandy's resignation and a judicial probe into the scam, a demand rejected by him.