Crisis gripping Oommen Chandy govt continues, coalition leaders to meet

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after Kerala High Court made critical observations against the Congress-led UDF government over the solar panel scam, the coalition leaders are meeting here to find a way out of the political and legal crises gripping the Oommen Chandy ministry.

Causing further embarrassment to the two year-old ministry, government Chief Whip and Kerala Congress (M) legislator P C George came out openly against the handling of the case by the Chief Minister and Home Minister.

Though George had hinted that he might quit the Chief Whip post last night, Kerala Congress-M leader and Finance Minister K M Mani discounted the possibility.

Kerala High Court had yesterday made critical observations about the probe in solar panel scam but Chandy ruled out his resignation over the development as demanded by LDF Opposition.

The state cabinet is also holding its weekly meeting today where the issues confronting the government would be discussed.

Apart from coming under severe attack from the LDF Opposition, George had also been causing trouble to the government ever since the scam broke about a month back.

The solar scam pertains to duping of large number of people by scam accused Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan. The scam took a political turn after the arrest of a close personal aide of Chandy for his alleged links with the fraudsters.

Two other personal staff members of Chandy were removed and state public relations director A Firoz was also arrested in a related case. The case also took sensational dimension with the arrest of danseuse and actress Shalu Menon.

The CPI(M)-led LDF Opposition has stepped up its agitation demanding resignation of Chandy and a judicial probe into the scam in the light of High Court observations.