Cong in Kerala backs Chandy, CPI-M no to joint panel idea

Making it clear that a leadership change over the solar scam is not on the cards, the Congress in Kerala today reaffirmed its support to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, as the CPI (M) asserted that the LDF would carry on with the agitation for his resignation.
The CPI(M) also rejected Chandy's proposal to set up a joint panel to examine the CCTV footage of his office to verify the allegation of the complainant, Sreedharan Nair, that scam accused Saritha Nair had free access to the CMO.
The Chief Minister, however, said government would go ahead with the proposal to get the CCTV footage examined by a technical panel despite CPI(M)'s decision not to co-operate with the process by suggesting a member from its side.

Chandy, who left for Delhi today, is expected to brief the high command on the political situation in the state.
Striking a posture of unity, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said there was no need for Chandy to resign for certain mistakes committed by some of his personal staff.
Addressing a press meet here, he ruled out a change of leadership over the issue and held that the Congress and its UDF allies would jointly expose the LDF's "politically motivated" agitation.
"The LDF has not been able to bring out a shred of evidence to link Chandy with the scam. So, where is the need for his resignation?," Chennithala said.

Chandy had yesterday written to CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan urging him to suggest a person as his party's nominee to the proposed three-member panel of experts to examine CCTV footage at the chief minister's office to verify if there was any truth in Sreedharan Nair's complaint.