'CM, KPCC chief summoned to Delhi not to discuss solar scam'

AICC today clarified that the high command had summoned Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala to Delhi not to discuss the solar scam, but changes needed to stabilise party activities and refurbish the UDF ministry's image to garner maximum seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"Chief Minister Chandy and Chennithala have been called to Delhi not to discuss the solar scam, but what changes should be made in the party to stabilise its activities and refurbish the image of the ministry with a view to attaining maximum seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls," AICC spokesperson P C Chacko, MP told reporters here.

Yesterday both leaders had told a joint press meet in Thiruvananthapuram all issues would be settled after their meeting with the High Command on July 28 and 29, which would take a final decision to defuse the crisis.

They had also declined to give any direct reply on whether any leadership change was on the cards.

The Chief Minister has categorically ruled out his resignation in the wake of critical observations by the High Court on July 23 about the progress of probe into the solar scam, which has brought his office under a cloud.

Chandy had on July 14 met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to explain the political situation and later said the issue of leadership change and cabinet reshuffle was not discussed.

To a query on whether changes are certain under the existing political situation in Kerala, Chacko said "changes are a continuing process".

He said it was not correct to say the High Command was intervening to solve problems in the party and ministry. "It is the practice in Congress to give time for leaders in the states concerned to solve the problems of their own."

The scam pertains to financial cheating of large number of people by scam accused Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan. It took a serious political turn after arrest of a close personal aide of Chandy for his alleged links with the fraudsters.

Two other personal staff members of Chandy were removed and state public relations director A Firoz was also arrested in a related case.