The high voltage political standoff in the LDF over the clamour for transport minister Thomas Chandy's resignation was defused on Wednesday after NCP announced that transport minister Thomas Chandy has quit the ministry. "I have submitted Thomas Chandy's resignation letter to the chief minister," NCP state president T.P.Peethambaran master told reporters.
Earlier, there were reports that the NCP was working out a formula under which the minister would take leave from the cabinet and go to US for treatment. Chandy will now approach the Alappuzha Collector to expunge what he claims as "adverse remarks against him". He will also approach the Supreme Court to nullify the observations against him by the high court.
NCP state president T.P. Peethambaran announced the party's decision. Thomas Chandy had left for Kuttanad, his constituency in Alappuzha district, after handing over his resignation letter to the NCP leadership.
Chandy would resign and take on the legal battles, hoping to gain a re-entry into the cabinet at a later stage if he gets a favorable verdict in apex court. He will also approach the collector to rectify the remarks against him as directed by the High Court.
In a day of high drama, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters that the state cabinet did not discuss the issue of Thomas Chandy's resignation.
Briefing the media after a cabinet meeting, the CM said the CPI ministers decided to keep away from the cabinet in protest against Chandy attending the cabinet. Pinarayi termed the decision as unprecedented.
He said the NCP leadership informed him that they need to discuss the issue with the national leadership of the party on Thomas Chandy's resignation and after that he would take a decision. Chandy later told reporters that he would quit if the central leadership of NCP directs him to do so. The minister said he would meet the CM after two hours.
The NCP is reportedly seeking some assurance that Chandy should be accommodated later if he clears legal hurdles. The CPI, however, is adamant that Chandy and NCP cannot put up conditions.
Chandy had met Pinarayi Vijayan at his official residence here ahead of a cabinet meeting.
The NCP leader reached the Cliff House around 7.50am along with NCP state president Peethambaran. The chief minister reportedly suggested to Chandy that stepping down would be appropriate. Later Chandy said he would attend the cabinet meeting and chief minister would take a decision after a getting copy of the court verdict, which is expected by 11 am.
The chief minister perhaps wanted to give Chandy the option of an honorable verdict, but by delaying an imminent resignation, the NCP and the minister only managed to sully the image of the LDF.
