Chennithala attacks LDF government appointment row

Thiruvananthapuram: Continuing his attack on the CPI-M led LDF government over the appointment row connected with former Industries Minister E P Jayarajan, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala Tuesday asked Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau Director to probe the role of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the matter.

In a letter to Vigilance Director Thomas Jacob, Chennithala said it was a part of official procedure that every file relating to the appointments to the post of Managing Directors shall be routed through the Vigilance Department headed by Chief Minister and without his knowledge and consent appointments could not be made possible.

From the available records, "incriminatory role of the Chief Minister as conspirator in the case was very evident," Chennithala alleged at a press meeting here to give details of his letter to Vigilance Director.

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had earlier this week registered an FIR against Jayarajan, CPI-M strongman, under Prevention of Corruption Act after a Quick Verification in connection with the appointment of his nephew Sudheer Nambiar, son of party's Kannur MP P K Sreemathi in Kerala Industrial Enterprises Ltd.

Jayarajan, who was forced to quit the Vijayan cabinet in October last year after the issue surfaced, has been named the first accused in the case.

Chennithala also alleged that administration in the state has come to standstill due to the tussle between a section of IAS officers and Vigilance Director Jacob Thomas.