By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Opposition party leaders in Kerala Wednesday demanded the resignation of two Kerala ministers after they went to a police station Tuesday and freed their supporters, arrested earlier for stoning a retail major outlet.
The two ministers are: Civil Supplies Minister C.Divakaran and Revenue Minister K.P.Rajendran, both from the Communist Party of India (CPI).
On Tuesday, activists of All India Youth Federation (AIYF), the youth wing of CPI, had pelted stones at the Big Bazar outlet here, forcing the police to retaliate.
In the melee, several police officials were attacked by the activists and were injured. Some of the attackers were arrested.
Later the two ministers went to the police station to free their supporters.
Speaking to IANS, Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy said that what happened Tuesday when ministers reached the police station is something unheard of in Kerala.
“The police had taken into custody those who had attacked them and the role played by ministers to release them is a breach of the oath they have taken. They are supposed to perform their duties without fear or favour,” said Chandy.
Speaking to reporters here, State Congress president Ramesh Chennithala said that both ministers have to resign.
“The law and order situation in the state has reached rock bottom and what happened yesterday when the ministers led from the front speaks of the situation in the state,” said Chennithala.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan kept mum Wednesday on the issue.
“I do not know what happened,” said Achuthanandan.