Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan to take final call on Thomas Chandy's resignation

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) meeting convened in Thiruvananthapuram today assigned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to take a final call on the fate of Minister Thomas Chandy. This after the opposition intensified their protest demanding the resignation of Thomas Chandy after his firm was alleged of levelling wet land and encroaching government property.

The emergency meeting was convened in the state capital after the call for minister 's resignation intensified over the last few days. CPI, the second largest ally in the coalition informed the meeting that the government cannot go any further in this condition. Each moment the minister continues in the cabinet is damaging the reputation of the whole LDF system. CPI (M) also decided not to support the minister any longer as collectors report confirmed the allegations against him. Janata Dal United representative stepped in and said that there is no solution other the resignation of the minister.

However NCP continued to defend their minister claiming that the allegations were only politically motivated. NCP state secretary N Peethambaran said in the meeting that the coalition system cannot go ahead without recognising all allies. This lead to a difference of opinion between the NCP and other representatives. Following this, LDF decided the leave the issue to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Though, Vijayan said that NCP should make a decision at the earliest, NCP leaders requested more time to discuss the situation with their national leaders.

After the meeting, CPI state secretary Kaanam Rajendran said that CPI is happy with the outcome of the meeting. Other members refrained from making a comment. However, it is learned that the minister will have to resign very soon after consulting with their national leadership.

At the same time NCP is also exploring the possibilities of bringing back A K Saseendhran to the cabinet. Thomas Chandy was sworn in as transport minister after A K Saseendhran stepped down on charges of honey trap by a female journalist.