Don't address assembly, Kerala opposition tells governor

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 3  The Left opposition in Kerala led by former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan requested Governor P. Sathasivam on Wednesday not to address the assembly session as the Oommen Chandy government is neck deep in the solar scam.

The assembly that begins on Friday is the last during Chandy's five-year tenure.

In May 2011, Chandy took over as chief minister for the second time with just 72 seats in the 140 member assembly.

"I am sure that not many gave us a term beyond six months. But we have reached here because the entire United Democratic Front was solidly behind this government," said Chandy, who will become the only second chief minister in the Congress party after K. Karunakaran (1982-87) to complete a full five year term in office.

However, the Left opposition led by Achuthanandan met Sathasivam on Wednesday, requesting him not to read the customary governor's address on the first day of the session as the Chandy government is neck deep in the solar and bar scams.

The Left opposition has already announced that it will march to the assembly complex on Friday, demanding the resignation of Chandy and tainted ministers in the solar and bar scams.

In 2015, the Left opposition was up in arms against the then tainted finance minister K.M. Mani, who was asked by them not to present the state budget.

However, Mani could read only a few sentences amid protests in the assembly. Chandy now holds the charge of the state finances and will present the state budget on Friday.

"On Friday, we will organise protests all across the state because a tainted chief minister will be presenting the budget," said CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.