KOCHI: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan alleged that a group comprising Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Chief Secretary Bharat Bhooshan, was facilitating illegal construction across the State.
Speaking after visiting the site of the controversial flat complex being constructed by DLF on the banks of the Chilavnnoor backwaters on Saturday, the Opposition leader said that those who supported the illegal construction should be punished and the building should be demolished.
“The committee appointed by the government itself has found that the flat complex was built flouting norms pertaining to construction in the coastal area,” he pointed out.
Achuthanandan alleged that Oommen Chandi was afraid of taking action against the DLF authorities. “The Chief Minister will not take action just because Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra has stake in the company,” he said.
“The construction of a mall in the Thiruvananthapuram city and construction of a flat complex at Adimalathura near Neyyattinkara are the other examples of the government facilitating illegal construction. It is known to everyone that ministers and high-level officials support illegal construction not to get ‘nirvana’. They would have pocketed crores of rupees by supporting illegal construction,” he said.
Achuthanandan also said that he would form a volunteer force as part of his efforts to prevent illegal construction across the State.” When asked whether it would be separate from the party set up, or not, he said, “wait and see.” When pointed out that permission for construction was given to the DLF by the previous council led by the LDF, the Opposition leader said that action should be taken irrespective of the colour of the flag of the violators.