THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 18 September 2007 — Five legislators belonging to the opposition Congress party-led United Democratic Front (UDF) yesterday began an indefinite fast in the foyer of the Kerala Assembly demanding a comprehensive probe into land deal involving Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
They also demanded resignation of Forest Minister Binoy Vishwam whom they hold responsible for selling vested forestland in the Merchiston Estate in the Ponmudi hill station for ISRO’s Space Institute despite a ecologically fragile land (EFL) notification being in force. The fast began after Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said it was the 2003 Amendment Act brought in by the previous UDF government which enabled businessman Xavie Mano Mathew to get possession of the fragile forest land.
Opposition leader Oommen Chandy, who brought the issue to the house through a submission, said the rules of the 2003 act were framed only this year by the present government, which enabled Xavier to proceed with the land transaction, and it was trying to shield a “corrupt” minister.
Announcing the indefinite fast by five legislators, Chandy led the entire opposition out of the house.
“You are trying to shield the corrupt. If you are confident that the deal was possible because of rules we framed in 2003 when we were in power, then include that too and order a probe,” he dared Achuthanandan.
Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (Congress), Joseph M. Puthussery (Kerala Congress-M), U.C. Raman (Muslim League), K.B. Ganesh Kumar (Kerala Congress-B) and K.K. Shaju (Janathipathya Samrakshana Samithy) are on the indefinite fast.
They demanded the investigation to be conducted by the federally-controlled Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Last week, four members each had held daylong hunger strike for two days raising the demand.
The issue has been stalling the house repeatedly ever since the assembly session began earlier this month with the two sides blaming each other. The session ends Thursday.
The controversy has already claimed the first casualty as Kerala Chief Secretary Lizzie Jacob has decided to go on long leave, apparently hurt by Achuthanandan’s criticism on the issue.
