Thiruvananthapuram: With vigilance registering cases against E.P. Jayarajan and P.K. Sreemathy’s son P.K. Sudheer, the ball is now in central committee’s court on initiating disciplinary against the two leaders.
The central leadership had earlier said that the decision on disciplinary action would be discussed and decided by central committee. Jayarajan who was the Industry Minister, resigned on October 2016 after he admitted lapses on his part in appointing Sreemathy’s son and his close relative Sudheer as managing director of Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE).
Another of his close relatives Deepthi Nishad who was appointed as general manager of Kerala Clays and Ceramics Ltd, was also forced to resign following pressure from the party.
Sources said Jayarajan and Sreemathy who are facing allegations of nepotism, had clearly gone against the norms laid down by party for people holding public positions. They said the document adopted by party plenum in Kolkata had specifically cautioned against reluctance or hesitation in investigating complaints of corruption and misuse of position by people holding powerful positions.
The plenum document had also pointed out that party committees despite being aware of the mistakes of leaders were not making efforts to correct them. Such a stand can only encourage others to violate party discipline and resort to uncommunist ways, it forewarned.
It is in this context that many in the party want Jayarajan and Sreemathy to face action as per the party norms. By appointing close relatives they had resorted to nepotism which according to CPM norm is one of the forms of corruption.
The CPM constitution stresses that party members holding elected positions in local bodies, legislative assemblies and Parliament should maintain high standard of personal integrity.
Many feel that at a time when LDF Government in Kerala is keen to project itself as a corruption free, development oriented secular alternative model to counter Modi brand of development, the party cannot afford to overlook nepotism by top leaders. The sooner the central committee acted the better it would be for sending across a clear message to people about party’s “zero tolerance” policy towards corruption and nepotism.
