Opposition attack far worse than hitting 'below the belt': Oommen Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram, March 21: Slamming the CPI(M) led LDF ahead of the May 16 assembly polls, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, has said the opposition onslaught against him during the last five years was far worse than hitting an opponent "below the belt."

"To level horrible allegations, it is called hitting below the belt in English. But, the personal attack was so severe that it was far worse than hitting someone below the belt," Chandy, who was the epicentre of the opposition attack, said in an article here.

"Family is the greatest asset for all of us. Opposition tried to drag my family members in various allegations and weaken me," Chandy, apparently referring to the solar scam in which his family was also dragged.

"Had any other Chief Minister in the history of Kerala been hunted like this?," Chandy asked. Attacking the LDF, Chandy said opposition did not support the government on any matters, but only created "hurdles" for development and they have set a very bad precedent.

Referring to the solar scam that rocked the state since 2013, Chandy said the opposition had relied on the words of an accused undergoing life imprisonment for his wife's murder and another accused involved in 33 cheating cases.

They became contemptuous in front of the people of the state by going after charges levelled by criminals, he said. BJP in the state acted as 'B' team of LDF, Chandy said not sparing the saffron party also.

The solar scam pertains to cheating of huge sums allegedly by Saritha Nair along with her accomplice Biju Radhakrishnan by offering people solar panel solutions. Radhakrishnan is in prison on charges of murdering his wife, while Saritha is now out on bail.

The case shook the state's Congress-led UDF government after it took a political turn following the alleged link between three staff in Chief Minister's office and the accused. The opposition charge was that the scam had taken place with the knowledge of Chief Minister's office.

PTI