Drop anti-judiciary stir, Chandy tells CPM

Drop anti-judiciary stir, Chandy tells CPM

Kerala CM Oommen Chandy said on Saturday that the agitation announced by the CPI(M) against the Kerala High Court in the name of a verdict against one of its leaders would lead to weakening of the judicial system.

“The agitation against the court would have far-reaching consequences,” Chandy told newsmen in Kochi. “The CPI(M) should not go for agitation if they are claiming to be a people’s party. A party’s duty is to strengthen the judiciary, an important pillar of democracy, he added.

The CPI(M) is to hold a mass convention in front of the Kerala High Court in Kochi on Monday in protesting its November 8 judgement, sentencing its top leader MV Jayarajan of six-month imprisonment and a fine of `2,000 in a contempt of court case, initiated for calling two judges nincompoops, in the name of a verdict, banning roadside public meetings.

Chandy said that he was sure of victory for the Congress-led ruling UDF in the bypolls in Piravam Assembly constituency, necessitated by the death of sitting member TM Jacob, Food and Civil supplies Minister. He said that the by-elections would be a referendum on the performances of the Government as well as Opposition.

Asked about the issue of suicides by debt-trapped farmers in Wayanad and other districts, he said that all suicides were not related to agricultural debts. “About 4,000 people had committed suicide in 2010 in the State. At least six farmers had committed suicide in Kerala in the past one week and four of these deaths were in Wayanad.

Referring to his mass contact programme launched recently, the Chief Minister said the feedback received from the people would be utilised to make governance transparent and more people- friendly.

He said a law would be formulated to make services offered by the Government a right of the people.