Chandy attacks Left for 'playing politics' after tragedy

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday attacked the Left for trying to score brownie points following the horrific tragedy the Puttingal Devi temple tragedy at Kollam.

Chandy told the media that Kodiyeri Balakrishnan appeared to have forgotten that the Sabarimala and Thekkady boat tragedies took place when the latter was a minister in 2006-11.

"We as a responsible opposition never uttered a word against the government or the way things were handled but lent our full support to the government to minimize the suffering of the people," he said.

"There were numerous shortcomings of the government then, but we did not ask for his resignation."

CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Tuesday had sought the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala in the wake of the Sunday disaster.

The Marxist leader said there were shortcomings the way the home department handled the entire event.