Thiruvananthapuram:
The Kerala Assembly was adjourned on Monday yet again over the Solar scam. The Opposition is demanding adjournment of proceedings to discuss the scam, in which two accused - Sarita Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan - allegedly cheating people financially by promising to provide them equipment to tap green sources of energy.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's office is mired in the controversy. One of his former personal assistants was arrested last month, and the opposition has alleged that the office had been in close contact with the two accused. The opposition has also alleged that the Chief Minister's Office attempted to favour the company owned by the two accused in getting government contracts, a charge Mr Chandy has denied.
Mr Chandy has reiterated his government's commitment to a free and impartial inquiry into the scam without any tampering of the evidences. However, Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan today raised doubts on the impartiality of the inquiry with Mr Chandy continuing as the Chief Minister.
The phone call records of Ms Nair which were leaked earlier had shown frequent between her and several leaders from the ruling party, including state Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
There has been speculation that the confidential call records were leaked because of infighting within the Congress. Rubbishing these claims, Mr Radhakrishnan today said, "There are no differences between the Chief Minister and me or within the Congress party." He, however, refused to comment on whether he will step down from his post in the wake of the controversy.
The Chief Minister, however, distancing himself from any allegations has said that he is ready for any inquiry and doesn't need any special privilege to protect himself.
Three government officials were recently suspended for posting objectionable comments against the Chief Minister on a social networking site, and linking him to Ms Nair.