Opinion is sharply divided on the issue which has, expectedly, triggered a lively debate across the State.

Whatever the final judgment, the people of the Kerala capital have heaved a huge sigh of relief. For, if the siege had lasted a few more days, it could have made their life a living hell. That way, the citizens of Thiruvananthapuram are thanking both the fronts for showing a healthy sign of pragmatism and sparing them of further misery.

Expectedly, the UDF camp is celebrating ‘victory’. The Government has managed to ensure early end of the siege, without making any major concessions. True, the LDF ended the siege after the Government announced a judicial enquiry by a sitting judge into the solar scam. There is nothing new in this, claim UDF sources. That has been their stand right from the beginning. But the Government has refused to concede the major demand of the LDF that the Chief Minister must resign, trumpet the UDF leaders.

LDF leaders counter this argument by claiming that this is not entirely true. The Government expressed its willingness for a judicial probe clearly unnerved by the LDF’s massive show of strength. Also, the terms of reference of the enquiry will be decided only in consultation with the Front. This is a major concession made by the Government, argue the LDF leaders.

Besides, their agitation seeking the resignation of the CM has not been called off. Only the secretariat blockade has been withdrawn. The Front will continue to show black flags against the Chief Minister and boycott his programmes. This is the crux of the LDF leaders’ argument.

But what must worry the LDF leaders is the subtle shift in Oommen Chandy’s stand soon after the end of the siege. The CM is now saying that the judicial probe would cover neither the CM nor his office as the LDF has failed to produce any clinching evidence!

LDF leaders, especially VS Achuthanandan, contend that they would insist on the CM and his office being covered by the probe. If Chandy refuses to do so, then the agitation would be intensified. Also, the CM must step down once the probe is announced.

Chandy, however, says he won’t do so, citing the precedent established by the EMS Government itself way back in 1957. The concerned minister, Food Minister K C George remained a minister even after the appointment of the Justice P T Raman Nair Commission. Not only that. The minister did not resign despite an adverse report. The EMS Government rejected the report, Chandy points out.

LDF leaders, however, say, former chief minister late K Karunakaran resigned in the wake of adverse judicial remarks, and that Chandy must follow his example. One thing is clear: The terms of reference are going to be a major bone of contention.

Meanwhile, the State BJP chief V Muralidharan has accused the LDF of withdrawing the siege after a secret deal between the CPI(M) and the UDF Government. The siege has been ended following an assurance from the government that it would go soft on the probe into the TP Chandrashekharan murder case, Muralidharan alleged, adding that the Government would also dilute its stand in the Lavalin case to save Pinarayi Vijayan.

Incidentally, the CM announced the judicial probe at a press conference at 11.15 a.m. on Tuesday. An informal LDF meeting followed. Soon, the front leaders marched to the siege venue, and Pinarayi Vijayan announced the end of the siege.

A major gain for the CPI(M) has been that the blockade has energized party cadres, demoralized after the Chandrashekharan murder case. The party also proved its famed mass mobilization capacity in the teeth of a government gone berserk, which tried every dirty trick to intimidate the LDF cadres. To an extent, the CPI(M) also managed to close its ranks divided by sectarianism in the process. It was a refreshing sight to see VS Achuthanandan and Pinarayi Vijayan sitting side by side – something that has not happened for a long time – and Pinarayi requesting Achuthanandan to address the activists. The party’s success in ensuring a peaceful protest and controlling the thousands of enthusiastic d cadres has earned it grudging praise. Last but not the least, its decision to end the siege 30 hours after it began – not an easy one as it did create a bit of confusion and resentment – bespoke a healthy realisation of the need to avoid going over the top with agitations. (IPA Service)