Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy filed a defamation case against Communist Party of India (Marxist) veteran VS Achutanandan for levelling corruption charges against him and his cabinet ministers, reported PTI. This comes a day after Achuthanandan had challenged Chandy to sue him, saying he was ready to face the consequences.

“I have been involved in several legal battles against some well-known individuals and you all know it very well,” Achuthanandan had said on Tuesday, as reported by Deccan Chronicle. “Chandy is free to file as many cases as he wishes,” he added.

Addressing an election rally for CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan in Kannur, Achuthanandan had alleged that Chandy was charged with 31 criminal cases, while the chief minister's cabinet members had 138 corruption cases against them. Chandy had then asked Achuthanandan to apologise publicly or be sued.