Centres stand in SC outrages Shibu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The shocking volte-face of the Central Government’s counsel in the Supreme Court on Friday that the Kerala Government has no right to  slap a case against the Italian Marines has evoked a sharp reaction from Labour Minister Shibu Baby John. He even went to the extent of stating that there should be clarity on the issue and if not, it will be difficult to move forward.Shibu has conveyed his strong resentment to Defence Minister A K Antony and Chief Minister Oomen Chandy and KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala in this regard.“I am personally convinced of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s commitment on the fishermen killing case involving the Italian vessel. But it has to be suspected that a few others are indulging in foul play,” he told Express on Friday night and asserted that things cannot be allowed to move in that direction.“Till now, we were countering the Opposition charges as politically motivated. But with the reversal of the hitherto followed stand in the case, we have nothing to offer as reply,” an embarrassed Shibu said.“When lives of fishermen are lost in our own waters, no cosmetic solution can be a replacement. If the Centre has acted against the spirit of the people then it should be corrected,” Shibu said.Shibu’s protest is the lone voice on such lines being heard within the UDF apart from the one aired by senior Congress leader V M Sudheeran. Over and above the negative political impact of the developments notwithstanding, Shibu’s outrage is based on the fact that the fishermen who lost their lives were living in hamlets that forms the political base of the RSP(B), represented by him.It is not the first time that Shibu is displaying his straight forward approach while dealing with various issues of concern, especially where he  and his small party has a political stake. He is waiting for the arrival of Oommen Chandy from New Delhi to register his protest and seek corrective measures.