Another thorn in LDF flesh

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF ministry came to power on the promise to bring a whiff of fresh air as the UDF government was mired in controversies that ranged from corruption to sex scandals. But the resignation of a minister over sleaze talk, the second head to roll in six months, has put the coalition government on the defensive. E. P. Jayarajan had to resign following allegations of nepotism in October.

The resignation of transport minister A. K. Saseendran, two days after CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury asserted that the LDF needed to get down to serious business of delivering on its election promises, has come as a big blow. The government headed by Pinarayi Vijayan, completing a year in office in May, has been mired in controversies one after another. The serious lapses in law and order front, as well as increasing attacks on women and children, created a dent in its image. When news of Mr Saseendran’s sleaze audio phone clip broke, Chief Minister Vijayan described it as a “serious issue” giving the Opposition no chance to go to town demanding his resignation.

Political observer B. R. P. Bhaskar told DC that with the CM terming it so, there was no option before Mr Saseendran but to go. “There were nepotism charges against Mr Jayarajan, but in the case of Mr Saseendran, there has been no sort of corruption charges raised against him. But it is unclear as to the circumstances in which the incident had taken place. Mr Saseendran having paid the price, the political power is over for him,” said Mr Bhaskar. He also added that Kerala's is a degenerated society where unfortunately the media too has a role.