Nepotism row: Opposition trains guns on CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram: Having tasted blood with the resignation of Industry Minister E. P. Jayarajan, the Congress is keen to take on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the nepotism row. The Congress is also taking out a protest march to the Assembly on Monday, which could result in a showdown.

After 12 days of hiatus, the remainder of the first session of the 14th Assembly, will begin on Monday. When the session had dispersed for the Pooja break, the UDF leadership was at the receiving end when their indefinite fast against the self-financing private medical college management fee structure did not work out. Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala has already said that they would intensify their protest against the left Government in the self-financing college issue as well as on the nepotism row.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said in Kottayam on Sunday that the role of Pinarayi Vijayan should also be probed over the controversial appointment of relatives.

“The controversy has not ended with the resignation of Jayarajan. The appointment of those appointed by Jayarajan has been cancelled. Others who have been appointed are still continuing in their posts. A detailed probe should be conducted. The self-financing issuewould be raised in the assembly again”, said Chennithala.

The CPM leadership will put on a brave face before the Opposition’s attack. They have agreed privately that they have lost the ‘Number Two’ in the Pinarayi government. But the LDF government would be maintaining that Jayarajan did not cling to power the way the UDF leaders did citing the case of former finance minister K. M. Mani who resigned later. At the same time, when former excise minister K. Babu gave his resignation to the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, he did not accept his resignation. Jayarajan who used to sit next to Pinarayi, will now sit in the second row.

Demands for grants of various departments will be considered during October 17 – 25. Though the session is until November 10, it is most likely to be cut short if the Opposition triggers more trouble for the LDF Government on the nepotism row.