Setback for UDF as solar scam accused Saritha Nair to contest from Ernakulam

Saritha S. Nair, an accused in the multi-crore solar scam case, declared that she would contest against UDF candidate Hibi Eden in high-profile Ernakulam constituency in Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Saritha's entry into the poll fray is expected to be a major setback to the opposition alliance in the state as she had levelled allegations of corruptions and sexual exploitation against several Congress leaders including Hibi Eden.

Former Rajya Sabha member P. Rajeev is the CPI(M) candidate in Ernakulam while the BJP has fielded Union minister Alphons Kannanthanam.

Talking to media at Ernakulam Collectorate on Thursday, Saritha said if those who are accused in several cases could contest elections, she could also do the same. She added that her candidature would be a message to people.

Saritha said she had been sending mails to Congress president Rahul Gandhi for past one year demanding action against 12 party leaders, but none of her mails elicited any response.

On March 14, Kerala police had filed an FIR against three Congress legislators, including Hibi Eden, on a complaint of sexual misconduct filed by Saritha. The other two MLAs named in the FIR were former state ministers Adoor Prakash and A.P. Anil Kumar.

Kochi-based solar company Team Solar Renewable Energy Solutions, floated by Saritha and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan, was accused of duping investors of crores of rupees for a solar power project.

Saritha had alleged that several Congress leaders, including former chief minister Oommen Chandy, had sexually exploited her after promising assistance to launch a solar project.