Bumpy road ahead for Saji Cherian as another case filed

Thiruvananthapuram: The trouble has only just begun for Saji Cherian, nevertheless he has stepped down as minister following his demeaning remarks about Constitution.

If convicted, Saji Cherian will have to spend three years in jail alongside a fine or with both.

A loose tongue cost him cabinet position and left him facing serious charges including one by Keezhvaipur Police.

Another case is registered against him under sections of Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act against Cherian.

Police on Sunday will record statements of former State Minister Mathew T. Thomas and first time legislator Pramod Narayan who were present at the CPI-M party meeting in Mallapally in Pathanamthitta district.

The Congress and the BJP now demand Cherian quit as a legislator too, for acting contrary to the oath he had taken as a legislator embracing the Constitution.

On Thursday morning, Cherian met the media in front of his official residence which he will have to vacate soon, and said he was in high spirits.

At the Assembly, instead of the Minister's seat in the front bench, he is given a seat in the second row.

On Sunday, Cherian said that the Indian Constitution gives ample scope for "loot" of the people.

When the visuals of his speech became public on Tuesday, the Congress-led opposition and the BJP protested demanding his resignation.

In the face mounting pressure from media and national leadership of CPIM, Cherian stepped down on Wednesday.

In Assembly, Cherian weakly defended he did not intend to put the Constitution in a "poor light" and his remark has been "misconstrued" and apologised for it.

Meanwhile, the Chengannur unit of CPI-M has called off a party that it had planned to throw for him.

Source: IANS with edits