Chief minister denies sex allegations
KERALA’S CHANDY VOWS TO STEP DOWN FROM PUBLIC LIFE IF CHARGES PROVEN
Responding strongly to allegations that he had sexual relations with Saritha Nair, one of the accused in the infamous Solar scam, Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy said yesterday he did not deserve to be in public life “if even one per cent of the allegation is true”.
On Wednesday, another accused in the Solar scam, Biju Radhakrishnan had alleged that Chandy, four other politicians and an official in one minister’s office had sexual relations with Nair.
Radhakrishnan said he had the visuals to prove his allegations and he had shown five of them to the CM.
He further alleged that he had paid Rs55 million (Dh3 million) to Chandy as a profit share of the Team Solar Renewable Energy, a renewable energy company in which he and Saritha Nair had stakes, and that Chandy was supposed to get 40 per cent of the profits.
Nair denied the allegations on Wednesday, and challenged Radhakrishnan to present the evidence if he had it.
Radhakrishnan is presently in jail, and his allegations came when he deposed before the Solar Commission, which is inquiring in to the Solar scam.
Radhakrishnan is also facing charges related to the murder of his wife, Reshmi.
Chandy made his statement in the state assembly yesterday, where he faced banners and placards by the opposition, calling for his resignation.
Meeting at residence
Refusing to give in to the opposition’s demands, Chandy said the claims Radhakrishnan made were a reaction to the investigation into the murder of his wife. He also denied Radhakrishnan’s claim that they met at the CM’s residence while he was evading arrest.
The chief minister said the mobile tower details would prove that Radhakrishnan’s claim was wrong.
Opposition leader, V.S. Achuthanandan said, “I fervently hope the charges against the chief minister are not true. Kerala has hung its head in shame hearing the allegations”. Following the opposition ruckus, the Speaker ended the day’s session.