Kerala Transport Minister Thomas Chandy resigned

Kerala, Nov 1: The Kerala Transport minister Thomas Chandy has resigned here on Wednesday.

This came after the Alappuzha district collector on Tuesday confirmed the allegations of land encroachment and violation of Kerala conservation of paddy land.

Earlier in the day, CPI, a key constituent of the ruling LDF in Kerala, boycotted the cabinet meeting where embattled transport minister Thomas Chandy is also likely to be present.

Chandy's party the NCP has said the minister will stay out of the cabinet temporarily and if he receives a positive order from Supreme Court he has to be given back the portfolio. CPI wanted the immediate resignation of Chandy.

The Kerala high court on Tuesday, listening to Chandy's petition seeking a positive order, gave him a rap on the knuckles, asking if he would consider withdrawing his plea.

The court emphasized that minister's petition challenging the district collector's report cannot be accepted. The court asked, "How can a minister file a petition against the government?" The petition should have been filed by the chief secretary, it said.