CPI didn't show coalition propriety in Thomas Chandy case: Kerala minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hitting out at the ruling partner CPI over the Thomas Chandy resignation issue, Kerala minister M M Mani said the party did not show "coalition propriety".

His remarks come days after four CPI ministers kept away from a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a bid to put pressure on the state government to seek the resignation of Thomas Chandy, facing encroachment charges.

Chandy later resigned as state transport minister on November 15.

Mani, known for his characteristic rustic style, said in Malappuram last night, "There is no need for the ruling LDF to carry 'vizhuppu bhandam' (stale laundry).

"In the Thomas Chandy issue, the CPI failed to show coalition propriety," he alleged.

NCP has two MLAs--Chandy and A K Saseendran. It is an All India party, the power minister said.

"In this case, they (CPI) are acting as hero. Our opinion is that the ministers not attending the cabinet meeting was against coalition propriety," he said.

A war of words had erupted between the coalition partners-CPI(M) and CPI- over the decision of the ministers to skip the cabinet meeting over the Chandy issue.

The ministers-- E Chandrasekharan, V S Sunil Kumar, K Raju and P Thilothaman-- kept away from the cabinet meeting as Chandy decided to attend the same on November 15, despite the Kerala High Court making observations against him.

Chandy, a businessman-turned-politician, is accused of land encroachment for his luxury resort. He resigned the same day after consulting the national leadership.

His resignation came a day after the Kerala High Court rejected his plea to quash an inquiry report, which had indicted him in connection with the land grab case.