Kottayam (Kerala), March 31 Mariamma Oommen, the wife of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, stated on Tuesday that there was a "conspiracy" behind the 2023 decision by the Kerala government to form a medical board to investigate her husband's illness.
Mariamma told a TV channel here that her husband only had a throat problem, but the government set up the board based on a complaint and without consulting her husband or his immediate family.
She also claimed that this was a move targeted against her son, Chandy Oommen.
"This was a severe attack on Chandy Oommen. There was a big conspiracy behind it," she said, adding that she was "deeply hurt and disappointed" by that decision.
She said that the government did not ask her or her husband if they had any complaints about the treatment.
"He was one of the sharpest politicians I have seen. At that time, he only had a problem with his throat. They should have shown the decency to ask him," she said.
A six-member medical board comprising expert doctors from various departments was formed in February 2023 to review Chandy's health condition and treatment at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.
The team was formed following allegations by some relatives regarding the former CM's treatment.
Chandy had later posted a video on his son's Facebook page claiming that he was being properly taken care of by his family and the party.
Chandy's 42 close relatives, including his younger brother, had sent a letter to the CM seeking his urgent intervention to provide better treatment for his predecessor.
The Congress stalwart had represented the Puthuppally constituency in the state Assembly since 1970 and was Chief Minister of Kerala twice.