Collector submits report on 'encroachment' by Minister Thomas Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram: District Collector of Alappuzha T V Anupama has submitted the final report to the government into alleged land encroachment charges against state transport Minister Thomas Chandy.

Official sources said the report was submitted Sunday.

Chandy has been under attack from the Congress-led UDF Opposition and BJP ever since the allegations surfaced some time back.

Chandy, a businessman turned politician, had rejected the charge that he encroached upon backwaters in Alappuzha district.

Both Opposition UDF and BJP today reiterated their demand today for the RPT the resignation of Chandy.

Congress led UDF Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala demanded that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sack Chandy if the latter refused to quit of his own.

"As per information that has come out in the media, encroachments have taken place in construction of a parking area for 'Lake Palace' resort in Kuttanad owned by Chandy and also violation of rules in filling Marthadam backwaters," he said.

Taking a dig at the LDF, BJP State President Kummanom Rajasekharan said though the Left 'waxes eloquent' on taking action against corruption, they were doing nothing in reality.

The BJP leader also alleged that the government was protecting Chandy even after the land grab charges surfaced.

The minister had denied the charges and said in the assembly he would quit public life if the charges are proved right.

Chandy, representing Kuttanad in the assembly, is the NCP nominee in the CPI(M)-led LDF ministry.

He became a minister in April following resignation of A K Saseendran, also from NCP, after a purported audio clip of him speaking in sexual undertones RPT undertones to a woman emerged.