Kerala’s CPI(M)-led lDF Government, which is yet to complete five months in office, has fallen into a crisis of credibility following the charges of nepotism leveled against some of its Marxist Ministers, especially Industries Minister EP Jayarajan, a central committee (CC) member of the CPI(M).
Jayarajan’s position has become extremely untenable with the Opposition parties stepping up the campaign against him demanding his resignation and call strengthening within the CPI(M) for action against him in organizational and government levels amidst reports that even relatives of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan himself had been appointed in positions under the Government.
Nonagenarian CPI(M) leader and former chief minister VS Achuthanandan on Sunday joined the Congress, the Opposition UDF it leads and the BJP in demanding a thorough investigation and action against Jayarajan. The BJP, which has already sought as probe against Jayarajan, said it would also approach the court over the issue after the Pooja holidays.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala of the Congress and State BJP general secretary K Surendran have written to the Vigilance Director seeking probe into the acts of nepotism by Jayarajan. The Vigilance is seeking legal advice on the matter and its Director Jacob Thomas is expected to hold talks with the Chief Minister within a day or two.
“I expect the Government to launch a thorough probe into the matter and take appropriate action against those responsible,” said Achuthanandan. Asked whether he held the opinion that the nepotism controversy had tarnished the image of the less-than-five-months-old lDF Government, he said, “No doubt about that.”
However, the Chief Minister claimed that the issue had not tarnished the Government’s image. “The issue is very serious. As it is a serious issue, we (lDF) will sit together to discuss it and find a solution. What you should remember is that the lDF is not the UDF and the CPI(M) is not the UDF,” Pinarayi said.
Jayarajan is facing the charge of committing several acts of nepotism by misusing his official position as Industries Minister. Most serious among them is the appointment of Sudheer Nambiar, son of CPI(M) CC member PK Sreemathy, his wife’s sister and former Kerala Health minister, as managing director of the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises ltd. Nambiar allegedly did not possess the qualification required for the post.
He is also accused of facilitating the appointment of three other relatives in units under his department. Sudheer Nambiar’s appointment was revoked following the intervention of the Chief Minister but the Opposition holds that the revocation does not exonerate Jayarajan legally and morally from the charge of nepotism and intention to commit corruption.
“Pinarayi cannot act like a saint in this issue. There should be proper probe and action should be taken against Jayarajan,” said Opposition leader Chennithala while State Congress president VM Sudheeran said, “This is not an issue that can be settled by the CPI(M) in its committee meetings. This is an act of plain nepotism and corruption. Jayarajan must resign.”
Meanwhile, reports said that T Naveen, a relative of the Chief Minister, had been appointed as the standing counsel of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board in the High Court immediately after the lDF came to power. But Naveen told the media that he was qualified for the job as he had 14 years’ experience as a lawyer.
Allegations of nepotism have come up against some other Marxist members in the lDF Cabinet including Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma and Health Minister KK Shailaja, another central committee member of the CPI(M). However, Shailaja said that her son had got a job in Kannur airport because he was qualified for it.
At the same time, the controversy over alleged nepotism has allegedly created sharp divisions within the CPI(M). PK Sreemathy claimed through a Facebook post on Sunday that her daughter-in-law was appointed as a member of her personal staff when she was minister in the former lDF government with the knowledge of the party. But Pinarayi, who was CPI(M)’s State secretary at that time, rejected her claim.