Solar panel scam: LDF to continue agitation demanding Chandy's resignation

Kannur: The Left Democratic Front today said it would continue their agitation demanding resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over the solar panel scam and block his ‘mass contact programme’ here on November 18. Speaking to reporters, Kannur district CPI(M) secretary P Jayarajan Jayarajan alleged that police were registering fake cases against a large number of party activists in connection with the stone pelting incident on Chandy’s car last Sunday. [caption id=“attachment_1202959” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Oommen Chandy. AFP image[/caption] Meanwhile, police had constituted a special squad to nab all those involved in the incident. The ongoing campaign by CPI-M led LDF over the scam turned violent on sunday as protesters pelted stones at Chandy,who suffered minor injuries on his forehead. The incident occurred when he came to attend the valedictory function of the Kerala state police athletic meet on last Sunday. Police also registered cases against a large number of CPI-M leaders, including district MLAs K Naryanan and C Krishnan. CPI(M) state Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan had denied that LDF workers were involved and dared government to conduct a thorough probe to track down the real culprits instead of harassing CPI(M) activists. Meanwhile assembly speaker G Karthikeyan said here the Speaker’s prior permission is not needed to arrest any MLAs. It was needed only if the arrest was carried out inside the assembly or its vicinity, he said. He said anybody could be arrested if there was evidence against him, after which police should intimate it to the Speaker as per law, he said. Cases have been registered against several LDF activists in connection with the incident. PTI