In a significant political development, Kerala Congress (M), the third largest partner of United Democratic Front (UDF), has come out against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his office in the controversial Solar scandal.
In the latest issue of ‘Prathichaya’, the mouthpiece of Kerala Congress (M), the party alleges that R K Balakrishnan, the additional private secretary to the Chief Minister also has links with Saritha S Nair, one of the kingpins in the solar panel scam.
In the article titled ‘Viswasathinu Athirundu’ (There is limit for confidence), party alleges that R K Balakrishnan, who is known as ‘RK’ and a close associate of Oommen Chandy for decades, had made calls to Saritha.
The article says that “the fact that Tenny Joppen, Salim Raj, Jikkumon Jacob and R K (Balakrishnan), who are part of the Chief Minister’s office, had frequently contacted fraudster Saritha S Nair over phone, can never be justified”.
“Oommen Chandy was known as an ‘opened book’ to the people of Kerala. At least people close to him believe so,” it added.
However, the latest developments, which have shattered Kerala politics recently, have seemingly hit this strong belief.
“It worries both Oommen Chandy and people close to him. The allegations and disclosures over solar panel have become a boiling issue in the state.
“The credibility of Oommen Chandy, which was built over many years, is being questioned in the tremors triggered by the phone calls which were made by a few people associated with the Chief Minister,” it says. This is for the first time that a publication of the ruling party has raised allegations against Chief Minister’s personal staff, which in turn, is a big blow for the chief minister.
As the Government Chief Whip and senior Kerala Congress leader have openly come out against Chief Minister, the article assumes significance. Mani Denounces Article K M Mani denounced the article published in the ‘Prathichaya’ magazine on the controversy.
He said that the remarks in the article published in Prathichaya magazine was not his or his party’s opinion.