Congress objects to re-inducting Jayarajan as Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 9: The Congress-led opposition in Kerala on Thursday objected to the possible re-induction of CPI-M leader E.P. Jayarajan into the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet.

On October 14, 2016, just four months after becoming a Minister, he had to quit following charges that he appointed close relatives in a top post in a state-run PSU.

After he resigned, the vigilance department launched a probe. Last year the court cleared him of all the charges. Since then he and his supporters have been rooting for his return to the ministry.

A special meeting of the CPI-M state committee is scheduled for Friday. This has sparked speculation that Jayarajan will be brought back to the cabinet as part of a ministerial reshuffle.

Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said the re-induction of Jayarajan as a Minister would be immoral.

With Jayarajan being the senior most among CPI-M ministers, his re-induction, if it takes place, could make him the acting head of the government when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan goes abroad.