Oppn to intensify agitation demanding Chandy's resignation

CPI-M today said the opposition in Kerala would intensify its agitation demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, both inside and outside the state assembly, following allegations against him in the solar scam.
"If a person who is unfit to be in the CM's post, continues to be in that chair, we will oppose him. The opposition will intensify its agitation against Chandy both inside and outside the assembly once the session begins," Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI-M politburo member, who is leading the 'Navakerala yatra', said at Thrissur. Vijayan also slammed the UDF decision to reject the resignation submitted by Excise Minister K Babu, who had quit in the wake of the vigilance court registering FIR against him in the bar bribery case.

Not accepting the resignation of K Babu and efforts to clear the way for the cabinet re-entry of K M Mani, who resigned as Finance minister after High Court made some strong observations against him, were part of strategic "self-defence" moves by Chandy, he alleged. BJP state President, Kummanam Rajesekharan, said the chief minister's decision to bring back Babu was against all "democratic principles and political ethics." Meanwhile, Kerala PCC President V M Sudheeran felt there was nothing wrong in Babu's return to the cabinet. The vigilance court's decision had become 'insignificant' in the wake of the High Court staying it, he said.

After Solar scam accused, Saritha S Nair, had deposed before the Justice Sivarajan commission that Rs 1.90 crore had allegedly been paid to a close aide of Chandy and Rs 40 lakh to Power minister Arayadan Mohammed for favourable decisions for her Solar company, Vigilance court had directed filing of FIR against them. However, subsequently, the decision was stayed by the Kerala High Court.
The Opposition had launched agitations in various parts of the state, demanding Chandy's resignation. The assembly session is to begin from February 5.