Chandy expresses unhappiness over LDF disruption of session

The final session of the 13th Kerala assembly ended on a stormy note today with CPI(M)- led LDF opposition members boycotting proceedings over solar and bar scams even as Chief Minister Oommen Chandy termed the session as one he would not like to remember.
"I am not saying that the session was a black mark in the history of the Kerala legislative assembly, but I do not want to remember it anymore," an emotionally charged Chandy, who had borne the brunt of the attack from LDF, said in his farewell speech in the house.
"I have not done anything wrong. I will face the charges courageously. I am not going out by hearing baseless charges," he said, adding, "We will face the people's court with confidence". Kerala is headed for polls in the next few months.

Chandy made it clear that he would not remain in public life if there was even one per cent truth in the charges levelled against him.
Rejecting the corruption charges of LDF, he said the "opposition has the right to criticise, but at the same time they should also show some tolerance to hear the reply."
"Opposition had only hollow slogans and allegations and ran away from the house when government came out with details of achievements during its five-year rule," he said, looking at the empty opposition benches.

LDF had disrupted and boycotted the sitting demanding the resignation of "tainted and corrupt ministers over solar and bar scams."

Earlier,as Opposition members continued their protest and raised slogans, the House passed a resolution suspending the sitting scheduled for tomorrow, moved by Chandy, who said "the decision was in view of difficulty to carry on the proceedings due to Opposition protest.
LDF has been on the warpath since start of the session on Feb 5, demanding resignation of Chandy, Power Minister Arayadan Muhammed and Excise Minister K Babu.
They had taken up various issues, attacked government and disrupted proceedings on every day of the sitting that lasted for 11 days.
Though the brief budget session was scheduled for 14 days till Feb 25, the House did not meet for three days due to various reasons.

The session witnessed presentation of 2016-17 budget by Chandy,who took up the finance portfolio following resignation of former Finance Minister K M Mani over the bar scam.
LDF members came to the house carrying placards with
slogans against the government and attacked it over an observation against Chandy by a vigilance court in the 23-year -old palmolein graft case.
They raised slogans against Chandy since question hour and trooped to the Well of the house as Speaker N Sakthan denied permission to move an adjournment motion over the court observation.
Yesterday, the court while acquitting two top officials involved, had observed that Chandy, the then Finance Minister, was aware about the deal, which pertains to import of palmolein at an inflated price from Malaysia, causing a loss of Rs 2.32 crore to the state exchequer.

Rejecting the charges, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the court had made just an observation and it could not be treated as a final verdict.
Raju Abraham of CPI(M), while seeking permission for the motion, said the palmolein case was one of the first scams witnessed by modern Kerala.
Though the amount involved was not as big as in the bar and solar scams, it was also one of the biggest corruption cases the state had faced, he said, adding that Chandy should quit office, taking moral responsibility.
The House witnessed noisy scenes when Opposition members stood up and disrupted the speech of the Chief Minister.

Unfazed, Chandy continued his speech and said the case was politically motivated and opposition was trying to create a 'smokescreen' over the recent vigilance court observation.
He claimed the exchequer had not incurred losses over the deal and actually helped government gain Rs 9 crore profit.
As the Opposition members did not return to their seats, the Speaker hurriedly took up other business of the day, including Vote on Account for the next four months.