Solar scam rages, LDF stalls assembly

Solar panel scam which has brought Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's office under a cloud continued to haunt the UDF Government with opposition LDF today intensifying the agitation for his resignation and a judicial probe, disrupting the assembly proceedings.
The issue also spilled onto the street with activists of Youth Congress and CPI's youth wing AIYF clashing in the state capital after taking out marches in support of their respective political stands.
In a related development, a magistrate court dismissed the bail plea of TV actress Shalu Menon, arrested in connection with case and remanded her to police custody for three days.

LDF members created uproar in the state assembly reiterating
their demand for Chandy's resignation, forcing the House to be adjourned several hours ahead of the day's schedule.
The slogan-shouting and placard wielding opposition alleged that the investigation was being sabotaged by the government with the intention of forestalling an inquiry into the Chief Minister's role in the scam.

Countering the opposition onslaught, Chandy accused the LDF of trying to create a smokescreen with political motives and maintained that an "effective and impartial" probe was on.
The scam pertains to fraudulent deals running into crores of rupees entered into by Saritha Nair and her accomplice Biju Radkahrishna with several persons.

It took a serious political turn with the arrest of one of Chandy's close personal aides, who has alleged links with the accused. Two other employees in his personal staff have also been removed in connection with the scam.