Thiruvananthapuram: In one of the biggest protests witnessed by politically hyperactive Kerala, thousands of LDF workers on Monday laid siege of the Government secretariat here as part of their indefinite campaign demanding resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over solar scam. On the day one, the opposition campaign remained peaceful with Left leaders repeatedly exhorting the cadres not to get provoked and the government refraining from using any force to break the agitation, though security in the city has been tightened. LDF volunteers, mobilised from all over the state with the CPI(M) and CPI cranking up their organisational machinery, blocked three of the four gates leading to seat of power pressing their demands including a judicial inquiry.
The police, however, took control of the “Cantonment” Gate, through which Chandy, his cabinet colleagues, bureaucrats and employees entered the secretariat complex.
Attendance was poor in the secretariat but those who turned up, including women employees, went inside without facing hassle. Holiday has been declared for educational institutions in the city till Wednesday. Giving a boost to the two-month old campaign,national leaders of the Left and allied parties including JD (S) supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI’s Sudhakar Reddy besides opposition leader V S Achuthanandan and CPI(M) state secretary Pinaryi Vijayan addressed the protesters. Chandy and his colleagues, who entered the secretariat held a special cabinet meeting to take stock of the situation. Chandy,later also met Governor Nikhil Kumar,which CMO termed as routine monthly interaction. (PTI)