Thiruvanathapuram:
Stepping up the heat on Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over the solar scam, the CPI(M)-led Opposition has begun an indefinite siege on the state secretariat. Thousands of activists of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) have blocked three entry and exit gates of the secretariat and claim that the fourth will be blocked later in the day.
The Opposition has been demanding the resignation of the chief minister, whose office has come under a cloud, especially after the arrest of a close aide for his alleged links with the accused in the solar scam.
Mr Chandy today said that all efforts will be made to ensure smooth movement at the main gate of the secretariat. The Chief Minister had yesterday said that the government would not come in the way of the democratic right to stage peaceful protests but it was duty-bound to maintain the rule of law.
The LDF has said that it plans to mobilise nearly one lakh protesters in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram for the siege. Thousands had already poured into the city last evening. Protesters have already blocked major roads in the city leading towards the secretariat.
Security has been strengthened across the city, with over 3,000 police personnel being deployed at important junctions. 10 companies of paramilitary forces are also on stand-by.
All educational institutions in the city will remain closed till tomorrow in view of the agitation.
The first phase of the blockade at the secretariat will last from August 12-18. The Left has said that the protests will be peaceful.
The solar scam pertains to financial cheating of several people by the accused, Biju Radkahrishnan and Saritha Nair, both under arrest, by offering solar energy solutions to clients. The accused allegedly flaunted their clout with the Chief Minister's office for duping the unsuspecting clients of huge sums.