Thomas Chandy is the richest legislator in the Kerala Assembly.
Kerala Minister Thomas Chandy, also a well-known businessman, seems to be in trouble over allegations of land encroachment. According to a preliminary report by the Alappuzha District Collector, the Lake Palace Resort - owned by Mr Chandy - has illegally encroached areas of the Punnamada Lake.
Revenue Minister E Chandrashekharan told media persons, "This was a preliminary probe and a more detailed probe is required to find out details."
Mr Chandy, who belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party and is the transport minister in the current Left government in Kerala, has said, "This is a conspiracy against me. I am open to any inquiry. I have not encroached upon any area."
Thomas Chandy is the richest legislator in the Kerala Assembly.
Within the first year of the Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala, two ministers have had to resign. EP Jayarajan, who held the Industries portfolio, had to resign over allegations of impropriety. Thomas Chandy became the transport minister in April as AK Saseendran had to resign after audio tapes leaked showed him having lewd phone conversations with an unidentified woman.
The opposition led by Ramesh Chennithala last month raised the allegations against Thomas Chandy several times in the Assembly but the minister was backed by the chief minister who said, "There was nothing illegal and that the allegations were politically motivated," leading to the opposition staging walk outs.