Bribery case order casts shadow on Oommen Chandy tour

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though Chief Minister Oommen Chandy kicked off his campaign from a pro-Congress area at Rajaji Nagar residential colony here in the morning with much euphoria, the same tempo could not be maintained later on. Reason: the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau court judge rejecting the report seeking permission to close the bar bribery case against Finance minister K. M. Mani.

Chandy started his campaign from Chengalchoola aka Rajaji Nagar residential colony at 11 am. He highlighted the development activities of the UDF Government for close to 30 minutes.

UDF candidates from neighbouring wards thronged the stage when Chandy was speaking. Chandy reasoned with the voters on why they should endorse the UDF Government. He could emanate the same enthusiasm at one more public meeting at Peroorkada.

However, the vigilance special court judge’s verdict had come around 12:15 pm and that affected the mood of Chandy and his entourage.

Chandy was seen talking to Home minister Ramesh Chennithala over mobile phone once news broke that Vigilance director Vinson M Paul had requested the CM and home minister to relieve him of the Vigilance charge.

Chandy who then addressed the ‘meet the press’ at Kesari Journalists Trust at 12:45 pm defended his colleague Mani. His body language did not match his defence, but he still maintained his composure at the press briefing.

Thiruvananthapuram DCC leaders told DC that by late afternoon when Chandy resumed his public meetings in coastal areas, he sounded more confident.