Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that some financial heavyweights had tried to blackmail him by raising sleazy allegations against him.
It was during the cross-examination by the lawyer of solar-scam accused Saritha S. Nair about the allegation that he had made sexual advancements at her at the Cliff House that Mr. Chandy gave the reply.
The cross-examination of the former Chief Minister was held at the office of the G. Sivarajan Commission that is probing the scam.
Details later
Later, Mr. Chandy told media persons that the details of the interest groups would come out at an appropriate time.
Though lawyers representing Mr. Chandy objected to Saritha S. Nair’s lawyer raising the issue in open and suggested that such questions be asked at the chamber of the Commission, Mr. Chandy said he was willing to answer any such question.
“Let all allegations be discussed in public. I don’t have any objection to the lawyer asking any such question,” said Mr. Chandy.
After his reply, the Commission permitted the question and recorded the answer of the former Chief Minister.
Denying the allegation of sexual advancements, Mr. Chandy said he had filed defamation cases against those who had raised such allegations.
Mr. Chandy said no one had raised such allegations against him during his 60-year-long public life.
“I don’t lead an isolated life or live in an ivory tower. I live among the masses. I lead a transparent life and if I had any such weakness, I would not be able to hide it for a day. I lead a transparent life at my office and home and people around me, including my friends, know about my life,” he said.
Denies charge
Mr. Chandy, who denied the allegation that he had maintained an intimate relationship with Saritha S. Nair, said truth was his best defence. “I have the conviction that I have not erred,” he said.
He also denied the allegation that he received bribe from the accused and interfered with the police investigations against the accused.
On a question whether he met Saritha S. Nair at the Cliff House while recuperating from a knee-injury, Mr. Chandy said only his personal staff and family members were permitted to meet him during the period.
Mr. Chandy said a large number of visitors had turned up at the official residence on hearing the news of his illness, but none were allowed to meet him. He also added that he was not sure whether Saritha S. Nair was among the people who reached there during the period.
