In a major jolt to the UDF in Kerala, the state government has recommended a CBI enquiry into the Titanium scam case, which involved former chief minister, Oommen Chandy, opposition leader Ramesh Chenninthala and former minister, V K Ibrahim Kunju. 

The case is being investigated in connection with the establishment of pollution control system in the Travancore Titanium Products Limited, in 2004-2005 when Oommen Chandy was the chief minister and Ibrahim Kunju was the minister for industries. Earlier, state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau had found corruption to the tune of Rs 80 crores in the Titanium Products Limited, one of the largest public sector units in the state in connection with Rs 256 crore deal for the establishment of pollution control system.

The case was left to the CBI because of the international relations of various companies abroad from where the equipment was purchased. Vigilance department had sought interpol's help to investigate. Interpol's answer was that it is seeking diplomatic channels. 

K K Ramanchandran, a senior Congress leader and cabinet colleague of Oommen Chandy raised allegations against him and Ibrahim Kunju in a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram.

Ramachandran alleged that both Chandy and Chennithala are culprits in this mammoth corruption. He said, “Disciplinary action was taken against me when I spoke out against their corruption. These leaders will perish the party soon. The number of Congress MLA’s has been reduced from 62 to 22 in a period of 10 years”, he said. 

CPI(M) state secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan welcomed the state government’s decision to hand over the case to CBI.