Jayarajan, who had landed the CPI(M) and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in deep embarrassment over alleged nepotism in key appointments in State public setor enterprises, has resigned.
Under fire from the Opposition and under pressure from the CPI(M) Central and State leaderships over the past few days, Mr. Jayarajan handed over his resignation letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after offering to step down at the CPI(M) State secretariat meeting here on Thursday. The Chief Minister passed on the letter to Governor P. Sathasivam later in the day.
The CPI(M) will decide the disciplinary action to be taken against Mr. Jayarajan, a member of the CPI(M) Central committee, at the committee’s next meeting.
Mr. Jayarajan had landed in trouble by appointing several of his family members in key positions in State PSUs, the most embarrassing for the government and the party being the appointment of Ms. Sreemathy’s son P.K. Sudheer Nambiar as the manging director of the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE). Mr. Sreemathy, also a Central committee, could also face action over the issue.
The Chief Minister would hold charge of the Industries and Sports portfolios that Mr. Jayarajan has been holding in the 142-day old Pinarayi Vijayan Cabinet.
Announcing Mr. Jayarajan’s decision to quit at a hurriedly convened news conference at the AKG Centre, CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the resignation is ‘intended to raise the image of the party and the LDF’.
Mr. Jayarajan refused to address the waiting mediapersons. However, in a statement issued later in the evening, he said the controversy involving him because of the steps he had taken to remove corrupt persons from key positions in the Industries Department.
