Chandy wants inquiry into Merchiston Estate deal

Kottayam, Sep 8 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy today demanded an inquiry into the Merchiston Estate deal after removing Forest Minister Binoy Viswam.

At a news conference here, Mr Chandy contended the Chief Minister's stance that no inquiry would be conducted into the deal was not acceptable to the UDF.

A private party selling government land to a Central agency was a serious offence, he said.

The government's stance of rejecting the demand for an inquiry into the deal could not be justified. By this, the Chief Minister was only evading his responsibility.

To a question, Mr Chandy said the Chief Minister could not save the Forest Minister even if an inquiry was not held.

When asked why the the Chief Minister was afraid of an inquiry, he said it might be because the land mafia, which the Chief Minister was criticising always, 'was in the LDF camp itself.' UNI