Oommen Chandy stoops to Pressure Concedes to demand for Judicial Probe

N.S.Sajith

Thiruvananthapuram; August 13, 2013: At last the people’s power won as the autocratic approach sheds by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who concedes the demand for a judicial inquiry in to solar panel scam. As he bowed to the pressure mounted by LDF’s indefinite siege for last two day, the struggle has been stopped. While announcing the withdrawal from the siege, CPI (M) state secretary Pinaryi Vijayan warned that the struggles demanding the resignation of Oommen Chandy will continue.

Pinarayi while welcoming the announcement of a judicial probe said that whenever a judicial enquiry has been ordered which also had the Chief Minister in its ambit of probe, the incumbent has always resigned. He said that if Oommen Chandy refuses to do so, the LDF would continue boycotting him and he would be greeted with black flags wherever he goes.

The Chief Minister announced his willingness to conduct a judicial probe after a meeting of UDF leaders. After the meeting UDF leaders said that they are ready to announce a judicial probe only if the struggle withdraws. But suddenly Chief Minister came in to the scene, and announced the probe.

He said that a sitting judge of High court will conduct the probe. Official decision will be taken in next cabinet meeting. Chief Minister also assured that the terms of reference will be decided with the consent of opposition. Chief Minister, who was previously reluctant to judicial probe, repeatedly ruled any scope for a judicial inquiry.

It may be recalled that on day one of the indefinite picketing around a lakh people had poured into Thiruvananthapuram openly challenging the threats and intimidation held out by the UDF government which had mobilized the state and central paramilitary forces on an unprecedented scale to repress and suppress an agitation which was gathering more steam with each passing day.

That a determined people cannot be stopped by any means was evident from the evening of August 11 itself with hundreds arriving by each train that reached Thiruvananthapuram station. Thousands more joined on August 12. August 13 saw new batches arriving from all over the state. Ultimately, the government had to yield.

(Photo Courtesy : Manu Viswanath, Desabhimani)