Solar panel scam: Oommen Chandy meets Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Amid the political crisis in Kerala over the solar panel scam, beleaguered Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to explain the political situation in the state in the wake of the scandal that has shaken the party and government.

Chandy's meeting with Gandhi comes amidst intensification of campaign for his ouster by CPI(M)-led LDF as his own office is under the cloud.

"I had a detailed discussion with Sonia Gandhi. I explained everything (to Gandhi) about the latest political developments in Kerala," Chandy told reporters after the meeting.

Chandy said the Congress president wants to see a united Congress and party-led UDF in the state.

The Chief Minister also said the issue of leadership change and reshuffle of the state Cabinet was not discussed at the meeting.

Despite the fact that the state unit led by PCC chief Ramesh Chennithala has backed Chandy, there has been unease in the state Congress with a section having reservations over Chandy's continuance as they argue that it will hurt the party's prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

"There was no discussion on cabinet reshuffle," he said, adding that such a process would reach to the Congress president only after discussion at the level of AICC General Secretary in-charge Mukul Wasnik.

Chandy said "no" when asked whether there was any discussion on leadership change in the state.

A defiant Chandy has already rejected the Opposition demand for resignation, saying allegations against him was part of a political conspiracy by the CPI(M)-led LDF.

Earlier, Chandy told reporters there was no evidence against him in the scam.