THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress-led UDF staged a walkout in the State Assembly in demand that the the Chief Ministers' office be included in the Vigilance probe. A few days following the resignation of Industries Minister E P Jayarajan over alleged nepotismin appointing PSUs, the House saw heated up exchanges between members of ruling and opposition benches when a notice for an adjournment motion seeking a debate over the issue was moved by the Opposition.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan denied the Opposition's charge that he was aware of the postings and said the appointments were made in accordance with rules and procedures by the departments concerned. He said that Jayarajan had expressed his desire to resign to uphold the values and ethics in politics and the party had to accept it. Jayarajan spoke in the House, saying he was being "hunted by a mafia that controls PSUs from outside." He added that a section of media also joined the campaign to oust him from the ministry as he did not yield to the pressure of "outside forces, that were controlling the PSUs."
Countering the statements, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said it was difficult to believe that the postings in key positions in PSUs were done without the knowledge of the Chief Minister. He said the resignation was a mere attempt to get out of the situation and save the government's image by making him a scapegoat. The entire row began after PK Sudheer, Jayarajan's nephew and son of CPI(M) Kannur MP PK Sreemathi, was appointed as the Managing Director of Kerala State Industrial Enterprises Ltd.
