Kerala Industries Minister resigns after row over appointments of relatives

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI (M) Central Committee member E. P. Jayarajan resigned as Kerala Minister for Industries on Friday.

The resignation followed his admission of guilt in the appointment of his relative as Managing Director of Kerala State Industrial Enterprises under the Industries Department at the party State Secretariat meeting here.  The Secretariat “allowed him to resign” as requested by the Minister, party State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the media after the meeting.

The State secretary said that resignation was to uphold values and image of the party. “We are taking an exemplary stand unlike the previous government.”

He recalled that when Excise Minister K. Babu of UDF government submitted his resignation, the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had not accepted it but had tried to pave way for his continuation as Minister. Similarly, the BJP government protected Sushama Swaraj and Vasundara Raje when faced with allegations.

The CPI (M), on the other hand, had responded to criticism from large sections of its supporters who had made sacrifices for the victory of the Left Democratic Front.

The portfolios handled by the Industries Minister would now be handled by the Chief Minister.

Mr. Balarkrishan said that party would consider organisational action against Mr. Jayarajan later. It was a matter to be decided by the party Polit Bureau and Central Committee on the basis of recommendation of the State Committee.

He said that the government would examine whether appointment of relatives of other leaders were in accordance with the law. Being a relative of CPI (M) leader was not a disqualification if the appointment was legal. The party’s image would not suffer just because of a single appointment. The Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau would be free to investigate all allegations irrespective of whether they were against the previous government or the present government.

He noted that the government had already initiated action to ensure that the appointments to public sector units would be in accordance with law and with mandatory clearance from Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau.

Meanwhile, the Bureau told the Special Judge and Enquiry Commissioner (Vigilance) here that it had already initiated preliminary enquiry into allegations against Mr. Jayarajan. The Court posted the case to Monday when the Bureau is to inform the Court of progress in the investigation.

Media persons who had gone to the Court to report the proceedings were threatened by a section of the lawyers and were not allowed to cover the proceedings.

Update:

Governor accepts resignation
Governor P. Sathasivam accepted the resignation of Industries and Sports Minister E. P. Jayarajan who resigned admitting nepotism in appointments to public sector units under Industries Department on Friday.

Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan, who sought his resignation, sent Mr. Jayarajan’s resignation letter by special messenger to the Governor.

Portfolios held by Mr. Jayarajan were allocated to the Chief Minister.