War of words between K T Jaleel, Ramesh Chennithala

KOCHI/KASARGOD: Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and Higher Education Minister K.T. Jaleel have let loose a war of words aimed at scoring brownie points ahead of the by-elections. While Jaleel cast doubts on the manner in which Chennithala's son cleared the civil services examinations in 2017 and secured the 210th rank, Chennithala said the minister was raising baseless charges as he could not properly answer the allegations against him on the moderation of marks in the MG University.

Jaleel said in Kasargod that a probe was necessary on how the son of a prominent political leader in Kerala passed the civil service exams. "In the interview, the leader's son got 30 marks more than Anudeep Shetty who secured the first place in the written examination. Those who lobbied for this in Delhi might think that others are like them," Jaleel said without mentioning the name of the leader.

"The Opposition Leader himself should seek a probe into this. Not only the PSC but also the UPSC should maintain transparency," Jaleel said.

"The Opposition Leader's allegations are lies. He is calling moderation as granting marks. This is not the first time that moderation was given. If he wants to put a stop to moderation, he should be specific. At the adalat, moderation wasn't decided. It was decided in the syndicate. The Opposition Leader didn't present the document signed by the private secretary. The UDF need not think that LDF's victory can be hindered through such gimmicks", Jaleel added.

Chennithala told reporters in Kochi that Jaleel had intervened to help failed students pass the university exams. "The minister is also covering up his private secretary's intervention to donate marks. Jaleel's allegation against my son showed his lack of knowledge about the civil service exam and he can clarify it with the chief secretary," said Chennithala.

He pointed out that the evidence to prove private secretary Dr Sharafudeen's participation in the adalat in the MG University had come out. "The visuals show that he took part in the adalat for several hours and spoke with the vice-chancellor also. This has disproved the contention of the minister that his private secretary took part only in the inauguration of the adalat. The minutes of his participation in the Kerala Technical University adalat had come out the other day. Under what law he is doing it," Chennithala asked and demanded a judicial inquiry into the whole episode.

Adalat visuals nail Jaleel

Contrary to the claims of Higher Education Minister K.T. Jaleel, TV visuals showed that his private secretary Dr K. Sherafudeen had attended the file adalat at MG University.

As per the minister's claim, his private secretary returned after delivering the felicitation speech at the inaugural ceremony of the adalat.

But Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala said the secretary attended the adalat and that one mark was granted to a student based on his instruction.

Even after the footage was released, the minister stood his ground saying that the visuals of the certificate distribution and the private secretary interacting with officials, including higher education principal secretary Usha Titus, were from the inaugural ceremony.