Facing heat over the solar panel scam, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said the government was ready for any probe after the ongoing SIT investigation was over, even as thousands of LDF workers today laid siege of the secretariat demanding his resignation and a judicial probe.
After a meeting with top leaders of Congress and UDF partners, Chandy told reporters that he had already said the government was ready for any kind of probe and would like to reiterate.
The SIT was all set to give the charge sheet in seven related cases by this weekend. If the opposition had any objections or suggestions, the government was ready to look into it with an open mind, Chandy said.
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In an apparent bid to reach out to the LDF, Chandy said "I am ready for a dialogue with the opposition to end the indefinite agitation launched by them".
On the day one, the opposition campaign remained peaceful with Left leaders repeatedly exhorting the cadres not to get provoked and the government refraining from using any force to break the agitation, though security in the city has been tightened.
LDF volunteers, mobilised from all over the state with the CPI(M) and CPI cranking up their organisational machinery, blocked three of the four gates leading to seat of power pressing their demands including a judicial inquiry.
The police, however, took control of the "Cantonment" Gate, through which Chandy, his cabinet colleagues, bureaucrats and employees entered the secretariat complex.
Attendance was poor in the secretariat but those who turned up, including women employees, went inside without facing hassle.
Giving a boost to the two-month old campaign, national leaders of the Left and allied parties including JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI's Sudhakar Reddy besides opposition leader V S Achuthanandan and CPI(M) state secretary Pinaryi Vijayan addressed the protesters.
Chandy and his colleagues, who entered the secretariat quite early in the morning, held a special cabinet meeting to take stock of the situation. Chandy, later also met Governor Nikhil Kumar, which CMO termed as routine monthly interaction.
