Thomas Chandy is the richest legislator in the Kerala Assembly.
In an embarrassment for the Left government in Kerala, a probe report by the Alappuzha District Collector has confirmed
reports of encroachment by state Transport Minister Thomas Chandy, who is also a prominent businessman, popularly known as Kuwait Chandy.
"The report confirms that the resort owned by the minister in Alappuzha has encroached upon the area of a lake which is a wetland," official sources said.
Thomas Chandy became a minister after his predecessor AK Saseendran was forced to resign after audio tapes leaked showed him having lewd phone conversations with an unidentified woman.
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, who is the richest legislator in Kerala, had earlier denied allegations of encroachment saying, "This is a conspiracy against me. I am open to any inquiry. I have not encroached upon any area."
The Opposition led by Ramesh Chennithala has been demanding the resignation of Thomas Chandy, who belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party, a member of the Left Democratic Front or LDF.