Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 15 (PTI) Amid demands for theresignation of embattled Transport Minister Thomas Chandy,Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said a finaldecision on the matter would be taken after knowing theposition of its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Four ministers of the CPI, the second largest partner inthe CPI-M led LDF front, meanwhile, kept away from the cabinetmeeting chaired by the chief minister to protest the delay intaking action against Chandy, who is facing an encroachmentcase.
"State NCP has sought time till their national leadershiptakes a call on the matter and in accordance with coalitionprinciples, a decision will be taken after knowing theirposition," Vijayan told reporters after a cabinet meeting herethis morning.
Vijayan also said that all parties in the Front have tobe given due respect and "their request has to be considered." "The NCP has also informed that they would convey theleadership decision later in the day itself," he added.
The NCP executive meet held yesterday had discussed thematter and decided to inform the national leadership about itsdecision on the issue.
The chief minister said the Chandy issue did not figurein today's cabinet meeting, which took decision on providing10 per cent reservation for the economically backward in theforward community in Devaswom board appointments.
Vijayan also dismissed the criticism that he was givingundue time to Chandy to take a decision on the matter.
It is only part of coalition propriety that Chandy andhis party were being given time to take a stand on the matter,he said.
The CPI leadership in the state has openly asked Chandyto quit as minister in the wake of allegations of encroachmentby his Lake Palace resort at Kuttanad in Alappuzha district.
Chandy's position turned more shaky after strongobservations were made against him by the Kerala High Courtyesterday while dismissing his petition challenging Alappuzhadistrict collector's report which had found largescaleviolation of land rules by his resort.
Earlier in the day, Chandy and NCP state President T PPeethambaran held a 40-minute discussion with Vijayan at thelatter's official residence Cliff House here on thedevelopment.
Chandy, a three-time MLA from Kuttanad, had joined thePinarayi cabinet in April after party nominee A K Saseendranresigned after a sleaze audio with a woman went viral.
The businessman-turned politician was under attack forthe past one month from the opposition Congress-led UDF andthe BJP over charges that the luxury resort at Kuttanad inAlapuzha district, owned by him, had allegedly encroachedbackwaters and violated land rules.
The Kerala High Court yesterday dismissed Chandy'spetition challenging the report of the Alapuzha districtcollector, which had found that largescale violations ofKerala Land Conservation Act and Conservation of Paddy landand Wetland Act had been committed by the luxury lake resortowned by the minister. PTI JRK UD ROHDV.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.