Solar scam: Kerala assembly adjourned sine die after continuous protests

Hundreds of Left Democratic Front supporters marched to the Kerala Assembly today seeking the resignation of Chief Minister Oomen Chandy over his alleged involvement in the ‘solar scam’ even as the Congress dug in its heels and said there was no need for him to resign. Hundreds of protesters marched to the Aseembly today and attempted to break through barricades only to be dispersed by policemen who used water cannons and tear gas. The session of the Kerala Assembly was also adjourned sine die after the Opposition parties refused to allow the House to function, demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister. [caption id=“attachment_941585” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Chandy has received the backing of his party. PTI[/caption] The protests come after a victim of the ‘solar scam’ alleged that he was introduced to Chandy by the prime accused in the scam Saritha Nair, and the Chief Minister had assured him of the project’s viability. The victim has alleged that he had paid three installments to Nair to the tune of Rs 40 lakh. Chandy reportedly offered to quit during a late night meeting on Monday over the controversy, but was backed by his cabinet who said they would continue to support him. KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala told reporters after the meeting that it was a “political conspiracy” and that the Congress led UDF would face it unitedly. Several people were allegedly cheated worth crores of rupees by Saritha Nair and her accomplice Biju Radhakrishnan who had promised to sell them solar panels and offered investments in solar power projects. The matter took a serious political turn with the arrest of one of Chandy’s close personal aides, who has alleged links with the accused. Two other employees in his personal staff have also been removed in connection with the scam. The scam has rocked the state over the past fortnight with an unrelenting opposition LDF intensifying their agitation for Chandy’s resignation, demanding a judicial probe and disrupting assembly proceedings. Activists of Youth Congress and CPI’s youth wing AIYF also clashed after taking out marches in support of their respective political stands.