THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pressure is mounting on CPM to take appropriate action against Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan for appointing his close relatives in plum positions in PSUs coming under his department amid reports that chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed his strong displeasure over the controversial postings. The chief minister met Jayarajan at the Kannur Guest House on Friday and reportedly expressed his displeasure over the appointments. He is said to have told the minister that the appointments had brought a bad name to the government.
Sources said though Kannur MP P.K. Sreemathy and district secretary P. Jayarajan were present there, the chief minister had one on one discussions with the industries minister. Meanwhile reports coming out from Kannur district said Morazha local committee had submitted a complaint against the controversial appointments of relatives to the district committee. The complaint was routed through Thaliparamba area committee.
There is widespread resentment among party workers and leaders over the appointments of VIP brats and relatives. When media persons confronted Jayarajan for his reaction on the issue, the industries ministers said; “I will explain. Let everything come up.” Under pressure from party cadre and general public, the CPM state leadership has decided to discuss the issue on priority. The state secretariat will take up the matter soon.
CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the allegations regarding the appointment of children and relatives of party including ministers would be looked into. He said steps would be taken to rectify the mistakes if any. “Appointment of ministers’ children and relatives are two different things. One can say it is nepotism if a minister appoint’s his children. But to say that none of the family members of CPM leaders can seek appointment in government departments would be wrong,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jayarajan’s official page has been flooded with messages attacking him for nepotism and seeking his immediate ouster. Many within and outside the party are upset for having tarnished the image of the party through his deeds. Demands are growing for his resignation by the minute. The last post on his official page was a newspaper clip on sports policy. However, instead of commenting on the policy, most remarks were regarding the controversial appointments.
