Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 13 (IANS) The Congress-led opposition in Kerala Thursday began a relay strike in the assembly to intensify their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) purchasing forestland for an education institute.
Demanding that Forest Minister Binoy Viswom be removed, Congress leader and former chief minister Ooomen Chandy walked out of the assembly stating that four legislators would sit in the foyer through the entire proceedings of the day’s session.
He said it was to protest “the attitude of the government led by V.S. Achuthanandan that is protecting a tainted minister involved in the corrupt deal”.
“Tomorrow another five legislators will replace the four who are now sitting in the foyer. And if our demands are not met, our protests will get tougher from Monday onwards,” said an opposition leader.
The opposition decided to intensify its protest after Achuthanandan gave a clean chit to Viswom and blamed the land scam on the opposition who reportedly amended rules in 2003 – when it was in power – to allow people to usurp government land.
The controversy centres on ISRO purchasing 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 Viswom’s connivance.
The issue has been stalling the house repeatedly ever since the session began earlier this month with the two sides shouting at each other. On Wednesday, the entire opposition walked out of the house and staged a sit-in at the foyer.