UDF backs K Babu, K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF has cleared the way for the return of K. Babu and K. M. Mani to the cabinet.

A meeting of the UDF held at Cliff House on Saturday decided not to accept Mr Babu’s resignation as excise minister and to welcome back Mr Mani as finance minister.

It was also decided to conduct an inquiry into the conspiracy to oust Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over the allegations raised by solar scam-accused Saritha S. Nair.

The meeting was held in the absence of KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran, who is conducting his  Janaraksha Yatra, and Mr  Mani. KC (M) deputy chairman C. F. Thomas MLA was present.

Mr Chandy said the solar scam was a conspiracy  plotted by vested interests who are no longer with the UDF and who had switched sides to the LDF.  The entire drama was plotted by the CPM and the bar owners, he said.  

Mr Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala were initially apprehensive of holding an inquiry on the basis of Ms Nair’s revelations.

But the KC (Jacob) chairman demanded that the common people should know the  plot. With Labour Minister Shibu Baby John also backing an inquiry, Mr Chandy agreed to the demand.

A minister told the meeting that Saritha was  living in a rented apartment belonging to Sharanya Mohan, KC (B) leader and a relative of KC (B) chairman R. Balakrishna Pillai.

“The High Court has not criticised Babu personally. The UDF does  not have any issues with Mani returning to the cabinet,” said UDF convener P. P. Thankachan.

Earlier, the allies criticised Mr Chandy for deposing before the solar commission for 14 hours. But he just  smiled and ignored the criticism.

Mr Chandy clarified that he had not  given any  letter to P. C. Vishnunath MLA for granting a solar panel in his Chengannur constituency as part of a project.

Ms Nair  had revealed before the solar commission that Mr Vishnunath had provided Mr Chandy’s recommendation in his letter head.