UDF comes to Chief Minister's rescue

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Kochi: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who is facing a storm over the alleged involvement of his office staff in the solar scandal, got some relief on Saturday as senior UDF leaders like A.K. Antony, Vayalar Ravi, P.C. Chacko, P.K. Kunhalikutty and K.M. Mani came to his rescue saying that Chandy is spotless and cannot be blamed for any wrong-doing by his staff without his knowledge.
 
But amidst all this, the silence of KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala was deafening. Chennithala, who was on a visit to Attapadi, refused to react to the scandal. Addressing the media in Kochi, Union Minister for Overseas Affairs Vayalar Ravi said people in the state knew Chandy for over 50 years now and no one would believe the allegations against him.
 
But he added that this was a warning for all ministers that they should be more vigilant while selecting the personal staff. Defence Minister A.K. Antony said  Congress wou­ld not cover up anyone inv­olved in a wrongdoing. There was nothing to prove the CM’s role in the scandal.
 
Congress’s official spokesman P.C. Chacko, MP, said in Thrissur that Chandy was being penalised for the mistakes of his office staff. “The life of the Chief Minister is an open book and spotless,” he said.
KPCC vice-president M.M. Hassan said Chandy was an epitome of selfless service and no one could tarnish his image.
 
Industries minister and IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty said the credibility of Chandy was not made overnight and the people of the state knew him well. He also predicted that the solar scandal would not have a long life.
‘I’ group leader K. Sudhakaran, MP, said the scandal would not affect a leader like Chandy who was transparent to the core.