LDF activists stage dharna in front of secretariat

THIRUVANVANTHAPURAM: The CPI(M)-led LDF Opposition today staged a dharna in front of the secretariat here demanding resignations of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and State Finance Minister K M Mani.

The demand for their resignation arose after the Judicial Commission probing the Solar scam, decided to take statement from Chandy over the issue and an FIR was lodged against Mani in the bar bribery case by the Vigilance.

Similar protests were also held in district centres across the state.

Inaugurating the dharna, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan alleged that Mani was clinging to power under the protection of the Chief Minister.

Last week LDF decided to intensify its agitation after the government-appointed Justice G Sivarajan Commission decided to call Chandy to testify before it about the solar scam.

In the solar scam Saritha S Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan are the main accused who cheated several persons by offering solar panel installations.

The LDF's allegation is that Chandy and his office had favoured the accused. A staff member in Chandy's office was among those arrested in connection with the case.

The Commission was appointed in October 2013 following a stir by LDF after the scam came to light in July of that year.