Thiruvananthapuram: Former director of Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau (VACB) Jacob Thomas on Friday said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was not behind his suspension and accused a former chief secretary of misleading the chief minister.
At a meet-the-press programme here, he said the Chief Minister was not angry with him and he did not harass him. All actions against corruption were discussed with the Chief Minister.
Without mentioning the name of K.M. Abraham, he said the former chief secretary gave a note to public relations department officials asking them to bring news paper clips pertaining to the police officer’s statements. Based on the paper cuttings, the chief secretary wrote in the file misleading about the need to place him under suspension. “What will the chief minster do?” he asked.
On ‘Jai Sri Ram’ being chanted by criminal gangs while assaulting people, Mr Thomas said the minorities need not worry about this slogan. “The present campaign was being run as if Jai Sri Ram is a prohibited slogan,” he said.
On possibility of joining the BJP, he said it was not a bad party. The former VACB director said right now he cannot say whether he will contest ensuing bypolls or not.
“Many called me parrot in the cage. Is there any parrot left in the cage today ? Many people wanted to sideline me for fighting a relentless battle against corruption. It was not just one chief secretary. My suspension in the name of criticising the government was in violation of natural justice. All times people occupying key positions in the government have had political affiliations,” he said
Mr Thomas said his desire was retire from service. “I hope the Central government will take a decision on my request for voluntary retirement at the earliest,” he said.
Taking a dig at A Sampath for his appointment as special representative in New Delhi, the former vigilance director asked what was wrong in joining politics when even defeated a MP is getting salaried job. “Politics is a good profession,” he said.
He said despite CAT verdict his suspension was continuing. “This is to humiliate me,” he alleged.
