LDF siege: Kerala govt declares holiday for secretariat

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 13: In an apparent tactical move to counter LDF's indefinite protest over the solar panel scam, Kerala government on Monday declared holiday for the next two days for employees of the secretariat, surrounded by thousands of Opposition volunteers demanding Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's resignation and judicial probe into the issue.

After a meeting of UDF leaders here this evening, Chandy said holiday was being declared for the secretariat in view of the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, for which the main venue is the Central Stadium adjacent to the seat of power.

Briefing reporters, he said contingents of police, defence and paramilitary as well as NCC, Scouts and Guides required at least three days' rehearsal ahead of the ceremonial parade.

Because of the LDF agitation, the rehearsal could not be conducted due to regulations imposed in view of the protest, he said. He said if the Independence Day parade was not held with due pomp and fanfare, it would be a humiliation to the entire state.

PTI