Firm on CBI probe, Chandrasekharan's widow continues fast

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 6: Sticking to the demand for a

into the conspiracy behind the

of her

, Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) leader K K Rema continued her fast for the fourth day on Thursday.

Even as the 42-year-old Rema's health deteriorated, RMP leaders made it clear that she would carry on with the fast till the Congress-led UDF Government made a firm commitment towards recommending a CBI probe. Last night, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had made an appeal to Rema to end her fast promising that legal and procedural possibilities of her demand would be looked into.

Though the development last night fuelled speculation that Rema was about to call off the stir, RMP leaders later resolved to go ahead with their campaign till the goal was met. Clarfiying the government's position, Chennithala, however, said whatever he did yesterday mean that the government had already taken a decision on the matter.

A CPI(M) rebel, who floated a parallel Left outfit called Revolutionary Marxist Party in his home turf Onchiyam in north Kerala, Chandrasekharan was hacked to death in May 2012. Last month, a special court sentenced 11 persons, three of them local CPI(M) functionaries, to life imprisonment.

Congress, BJP and several human rights activists had come out openly supporting the demand since Rema began her fast in front of the government secretariat here on Monday. CPI(M), however, dubbed it as an illegal and politically motivated move.

A fresh case was registered at Edachery police station in Kozhikode district on Tuesday, based on a complaint by Rema, alleging that her husband was the victim of a political conspiracy.

Meanwhile, BJP's state unit today accused Oommen Chandy government of delaying a decision on the CBI probe "under pressure" from CPI(M). The party alleged that there appeared a "secret understanding" between the Congress and the CPI(M) over the issue.

Addressing a press meet here, BJP state President V Muraleedharan said the Home Minister should explain what was the obstacle in ordering a CBI probe into the matter even after the Director General of Prosecution had advised the government that there was no technical hitch for it.

PTI