Congress attacks Vijayan for not appointing a new Vigilance chief

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 24 (IANS) Kerala's Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday hit out at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for not appointing a full time chief of the Vigilance Department, alleging this omission was intended to scuttle a few cases before it.

"Vijayan is playing a tactical game by not appointing a permanent head of the Vigilance, as he wish to 'roll up' a few vigilance cases. I had written a letter against grabbing of land by State Transport Minister Thomas Chandy to Vigilance but nothing has happened on it," Chennithala told media here.

Director General of Police Jacob Thomas, perceived to be a Vijayan favourite, was posted as the head of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in May last year soon after the new Left Democratic Front government came to power, he was, in a surprise move, asked to go on leave in April this year. The post was handed over as additional charge to state police chief Loknath Behra, who still has it.

Chennithala also disproved of Vigilance's move to give a clean chit to former state Industries Minister and the number two in the Vijayan cabinet, E.P.Jayarajan, who had to quit after charges of nepotism surfaced against him for appointing close relatives to key posts in the state public sector enterprises.

"The act done by the Vigilance to exonerate Jayarajan, will backfire as there is a clear case of nepotism against him This is one reason why Vijayan is not keeping a full time Vigilance head, as he wishes a few cases to be written off," he added.

Chennithala also said that as even as his letter to the Vigilance director against Chandy has been not looked into, he will give a detailed letter to state Revenue Minister E.Chandrasekheran showing the massive violations done by Chandy wherein he has grabbed government land.

He also sought to know why Vijayan, instead of ousting him as a minister, continues to remain mum.

"Why is that Vijayan is silent, when he removed Jayarajan in a flash. Even (former Chief Minister and veteran LDF leader) V.S.Achuthanandan has expressed his ire in the manner in which Vijayan continues to have a soft corner for Chandy. All wish to know.. is it because Chandy is a millionaire businessman that Vijayan has a soft corner towards him," asked Chennithala.