Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Thursday defended state Sports Minister E.P Jayarajan, saying the minister had not behaved rudely with Olympian Anju Bobby George.
“The minister had objected to the flight tickets availed by her for attending the Council meeting. He told her that it was against the rules. The minister had not behaved rudely with her,” Pinarayi told reporters at the press conference.
Courting a new controversy, Anju accused E P Jayarajan of insulting her with "corruption" charges.
In her complaint to the chief minister, Jayarajan said the minister had blamed that all of them were involved in corruption.
“We are not acting for any political party. Sports is our party. I am not a member of Congress, Communist or BJP,” she said.
Jayarajan, however, denied the charge and said Anju had parted "very happily" after meeting him.
Asked about her charge, the state Sports Minister said he had not behaved rudely.
"No, never," he told reporters. He said he was not aware that the athlete had complained to the Chief Minister.
The minister had kicked up a row after he described legendary boxing champion Mohammed Ali as a sportsman from Kerala during his obituary reference.