By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : It was another day of utter chaos in the Kerala assembly when Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said that no state government official or minister was involved in the controversial purchase of forest land by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Controversy surrounds ISRO’s purchase of 82 acres of forestland in Ponmudi, 75 km from here, from high-profile businessman Savy Mano Mathew to set up a space education institute.
The opposition Congress maintains that the land belongs to the forest department and was sold with the full connivance of Forest Minister Binoy Viswom.
“We are very clear because neither any minister nor the government is involved in the land deal. But if any official has any role suitable action would be taken. You are just trying to use this politically,” said Achuthanandan, speaking on the controversy for the first time.
“All this happened because of flawed rules which your government in 2003 had come out with and now you are airing the feeling of those who have been affected. Since this government has come more than 20,000 acres of government land, in possession of people, have been recovered.” Said Achuthanandan, lashing out at the opposition.
The assembly witnessed chaotic scenes with the opposing sides shouting at each other as the chief minister completed his statement. Speaker K. Radhakrishnan had to stop the proceedings of the house for over two hours.
When the session resumed, leader of opposition Oommen Chandy blasted Achuthanandan and said that they would not settle for anything less than a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and Viswom’s resignation.
Afterwards the entire opposition walked out of the house and staged a sit-in at the foyer.
Outside the assembly, Youth Congress activists clashed with the police when they took out a march demanding the resignation of Viswom.
The coming days could see the protests intensifying and the government’s refusal to order a probe may dent the image of both the chief minister and his party.