Ramesh Chennithala, Ebrahimkunju in tug of war over engineers’ suspension
The main grouse of the Vigilance was that these two officials’ dealings were not transparent
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A tug of war is on between home minister Ramesh Chennithala and PWD minister V. K. Ebrahimkunju over the suspension of two chief engineers. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has intervened as Muslim League is peeved at Mr Chennithala's interference.
The issue is likely to figure in the next cabinet meeting. But League leaders feel that it is a ploy of Mr Chennithala to send out a message that Mr Chandy is ignorant of what’s happening in the Kerala Congress (M) and the League and instead he is acting as ‘super CM’ holding the Vigilance portfolio.
The other day, Mr Chennithala suspended PWD chief engineer T. K. Satheesh and KWA chief engineer V. K. Mahanudevan from service for awarding a contract to Kerala State Construction Corporation. Officials told DC that if the Vigilance had any information on these officials, it should have informed the department head.
The main grouse of the Vigilance was that these two officials’ dealings were not transparent. According to PWD sources, they were just director board members as the final decision was taken by KSCC chairman and then PWD secretary T. O. Sooraj who has since been suspended and also by managing director K. S. Raju who has since retired.
“After issuing the order, Mr Chennithala went to Dubai. Now he is maintaining that he is not aware of what had happened. This is nothing but a political game to project his image as someone who would initiate stringent action without favouritism, even against allies,” a top PWD official told DC.
