CPM in a fix over E P Jayarajan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM central leadership has expressed displeasure over the controversial appointments of children and relatives of top party leaders including ministers and has directed the state leaders to rectify the mistakes which had dented the image of four-month old Pinarayi Vijayan government. Though Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan was forced to scrap central committee member P.K. Sreemathy’s son P.K. Sudheer’s appointment as Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) managing director, a similar action is yet to be taken on other controversial appointments.

After the cancellation of Sudheer’s appointment, many controversial postings involving children and relatives of CPM leaders including appointments given to relatives and children of Jayarajan, Anathalavattom Anandan, Koliyakode Krishnan Nair and late E.K. Nayanar have also come under the scanner. The central leaders are understood to have told CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to sort out the issue within the state after discussing the issue in the appropriate party forum.

The state secretariat which is scheduled to meet on October 14 would take a decision on other controversial appointments. Sources said a section of state leaders are against removing Jayarajan from the Cabinet as it would bring the government under huge pressure. However considering the widespread resentment within the party, the leadership might be forced to initiate action against Jayarajan. He could be either warned or censured for the lapse.

It is believed that scrapping of all controversial appointments, censuring of minister and strict guidelines to prevent nepotism in future should be steps enough to douse the controversy. Many top leaders believe that removing the Kannur strongman could have serious ramifications and even pave the way for spilling the beans of  other leaders.

Already allegations have surfaced regarding Pinarayi Vijayan’s wife’s relative and health minister K.K. Shailaja’s son.  Since party fears that more skeletons could tumble out of the cupboard, the attempt would be to reach a consensus. During the course of controversy, Sreemathy had put a Facebook post saying her daughter-in-law was appointed as cook during her tenure as minister with the then CPM state secretary Pinarayi’s consent. Her post created huge embarrassment for the chief minister and within a couple of hours, Sreemathy was forced to withdraw the post.

Sudheeran asks CM to explain

KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran has demanded the resignation of Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan and asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to explain his role in the nepotism row. “If he does not resign on his own, he should be thrown out,” he told reporters here.  “It is inconceivable that Mr Pinarayi did not know of the appointment of Mr  P. K. Sudheer as managing director of  Kerala State Industrial Enterprises, as claimed by him,” he added. 

“Despite Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala giving a written complaint to Vigilance director  Jacob Thomas, no action has been taken. His stand that  he will decide after discussing with the CM is double standard,” alleged Mr Sudheeran.