LDF SECRETARIAT UPARODHAM

In a major offensive against the Congress-led United Democratic Front government in Kerala, thousands of the Left Democratic Front workers laid siege to the Secretariat here on Monday. The protest marked the beginning of the Opposition’s indefinite blockade to demand Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s resignation in the solar scam. Three out of the four gates came under blockade from early hours, with hundreds of activists occupying the roads leading to them. Mr. Chandy and his Cabinet colleagues had to reach the Secretariat early morning to attend a special meeting of the Cabinet. They entered and exited the Secretariat through the Cantonment Gate, which the police had secured on Sunday. Though Central police personnel had been requisitioned, they were not involved in any operation.

Addressing the agitators, the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, said Mr. Chandy should quit and face an inquiry by a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court. Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat said Mr. Chandy should remember that the former Railway Minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal, resigned when it became clear that his relative and office were involved in railway appointments. Communist Party of India general secretary K. Sudhakar Reddy and RSP general secretary T.J. Chandrachoodan also demanded Mr. Chandy’s resignation.

Though the bulk of the LDF workers, drawn from all over the State, observed restraint, minor skirmishes occurred at two or three points. Quick intervention by LDF leaders and restraint exercised by the police ensured that there was no flare-up. At one point, CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan had to reach a sensitive spot near the RBI office to urge the activists to remain calm.

The government claimed that 67 per cent of the Secretariat employees attended office. However, the functioning of the Secretariat remained hit, forcing the government to declare holidays on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Chief Minister made the announcement after a meeting with his Cabinet colleagues and coalition leaders. The meeting also reportedly decided to hold informal talks with LDF leaders to end the stand-off. Active participation of the party officials are giving more encouragement to the cadres who are involved in the secretariat strike. Ignoring the heavy rainfall in morning party cadres and officials have stood still in front of the secretariat.

Pinarayi Vijayan has asked the protestors to keep discipline and not to provocate the police. He has also said that the strike is the emotion of the common man and it will be part of the history. Party secretary has also stated that barricades are not at all a hindrance to peoples emotions. Police have registered a case against the LDF strike by making VS Achuthanandan as the prime accused. Case has also been registered against thousands of other people who have participated in the strike. Chief minister has told that there will be no provocation measures from government side. Chief minister has asked other ministers to not to stay in secretariat offices as that will provocate the protestors. Ministers vehicles has been stopped by the protestors near bakery juction. In baker junction protestors from districts like kozhikode, kasargod and wayanad were assembled and they didn’t allowed the official vehicles of Aryadan Mohammed and VS Sivakumar to pass by but the vehicle of Chief Minister oommen chandy has surpassed the protestors and reached governors residence in vellayambalam. Chief ministers office has told that it is just a routine visit.

There was minor disturbances in the trivadrum city with regard to ldf strike as stones has be thrown against a police vehicle in vellayambalam, trivandrum and the driver got injured. The vehicle which was bringing secretariat employees has been attacked. Employees has entered the secretariat through the cantonment gate. Chief minister has told that there will be no delay of judicial inquiry in the solar scam. Shri oommen chandy has also said that the police inquiry into the solar scam is in its final state and after that judicial inquiry can be conducted. During the Inauguration meeting Prakash Karat has blamed chief minister oommen chandy for the solar scam as he was aware of what was happening. He also stated that chief minister should resign if he has got some responsibility towards the common man of kerala while officially inaugurating the strike. He also said that the railway minister Pavan Kumar Bansal has resigned just because his relative was involved in the railway scam. The blockade and siege organized in front of secretariat by the LDF has started in trivandrum with party members from various districts of kerala thronging trivandrum. LDF WITHDRAWN SECRETARIAT UPARODHAM Pinarayi vijayan has told that the indefinite strike organized by LDF will be part of the history and declared that the strike has been concluded as government has ordered for Judicial Inquiry.

LDF protestors are in a state of joy and it is expected that the strike will end in a short while from now. All the party members from different parts are joining in front of secretariat. LDF camp considers declaring a judicial inquiry is the first step towards the resignation of the chief minister. It is expected that the indefdefinite strike orderd by LDF will conclude on the second day. Pinarayi Vijayan and other eminent leaders of the LDF are reaching the centre stage of the strike infront of secretariat. An urgent LDF meeting will be convened considering the present situation.

Oommen chandy has asked the LDF to withdraw the blockade strike as the chief minister has declared a judicial enquiry. Terms and reference for the judicial inquiry can be discussed with LDF and suggestions from opposition will also be considered. The inquiry which is underway by the special investigation team will be concluded in a couple of days and no government money is wasted or misused with regard to solar scam. Chief minister has also stated that all the culprits in the solar case will be brought before the law. In the press conference Chief Minister Oommen chandy has said that a judicial enquiry in the solar scam and it will be conducted by a sitting judge and official declaration will be given in the next cabinet meeting.

Government is willing to and taking steps to finish off the siege by agreeing some demands put forward by the LDF. This was a decision taken in the all party meeting of UDF in Trivandrum. The decision was taken to go forward by declaring a judicial inquiry in the solar scam. By agreeing to the demand for judicial inquiry 1 need put forward by the LDF will be fruitful. Today is the second day of secretariat siege organised by LDF. Two days holiday has been declared for secretariat but the siege will continue. The preparations for the independece day parade is underway in central stadium in Trivandrum. A police vehicle has been stoned by protestors today morning near by bakery junction. CPM has told that the event has become a success.