CPI questions CPI (M) on diluting powers of Lokayuktha

On Friday, Kanam Rajendran once again expressed his displeasure over the Chief Minister's sending an ordinance to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan seeking amendment to the Kerala Lokayukta Act, which would dilute the anti-corruption body's powers.

Kerala's Left government is allied with the CPI in the second most significant way.

When the four CPI ministers were asked why they did not raise an objection when the matter came before the cabinet, As he expressed his displeasure, he said, "You'd better ask them." He emphasized there were no political discussions on this and did not understand why an Ordinance was put forth so soon when the budget session of the House is just around the corner.

On January 19, Vijayan presided over an online cabinet meeting that was conducted from his hospital bed in the US during which this important development was made.

Earlier today, former Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala brought to people's attention the new Ordinance with Khan. In his list of decisions that had been taken by the cabinet on January 19th, Vijayan failed to mention this important decision.

A request was made by Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan to CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Friday to first convince Kanam Rajendran of the party's position.

"There was an article of Balakrishnan on the tweaking in their party organ which was published on Friday. First let him convince Rajendran, who has by now expressed his mind on this tweaking. It's very clear now that this sudden rushing through of this Ordinance is to save his own skin, as the Lokayukta is hearing a petition against him on the way the Chief Minister's Dearness Relief Fund was handled and also another petition against his cabinet colleague R.Bindhu," said Satheesan to the media here on Friday.

Meanwhile, the otherwise media friendly Khan who has been regularly meeting, especially in the past few weeks when he had a feud with the Vijayan government on the re-appointment of the Kannur vice chancellor and even went to the extent of relinquishing the post of chancellor, is tight lipped on the issue.

And now all eyes are on Vijayan who returns in the wee hours of Saturday from the US, where he has been under treatment for an undisclosed ailment