Kith and kin of netas thrive under Communist rule in Kerala

After coming under heavy criticism from every corner, Kerala state Industries Department on Thursday cancelled the appointment of a relative of Minister EP Jayarajan as the Managing Director of Kerala State Industries Enterprises (KSIE). But the controversial posting was just one example of nepotism by the Left leadership in the state. The kith and kin of Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) continue to get plum posts in the state after the Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power by the end of May this year. 

On Thursday, the Industries Department revoked the order appointing Sudheer Nambiar, son of CPM MP from Kannur PK Sreemathy as the MD of KSIE. Nambiar is also a relative of Industries Minister EP Jayarajan. The controversial posting elicited sharp reactions with the opposition alleging favouritism by the Communist party. Reports say that the cancellation of the appointment order came after the intervention of CM Pinarayi Vijayan. 

When confronted with questions on the controversial appointment, Jayarajan snubbed the media and said that his relatives might be there on top of PSUs and that the media had no business in it. The queries from media do not deserve a response, he said on Thursday.

But the controversy has brought out similar postings of relatives of top CPM leaders in various public sector units and corporations. Son of CPM State Secretariat member Anathalavattom Anandan was appointed as the MD of KINFRA Apparel Park, an institution under Industries Department. Another relative of Jayarajan was recently made the General Manager of Clay and Ceramics Ltd, another company under the department. 

Daughter of former CPM state committee member from Alappuzha is the new MD of Women's Development Corporation while there are reports that the grandson of former Chief Minister EK Nayanar and son of CPM state committee member Koliyakkode Krishnan Nair would be assigned top posts in various public sector units under the state government. 

PK Sreemathy, who is also a Central Committee member of CPM, had courted controversy by appointing Dhanya, her daughter-in-law and wife of Sudheer Nambiar as her official cook when she was the Health Minister in the VS Achuthanandan ministry in 2006. Dhanya subsequently became the minister's personal assistant with gazetted rank. By the time the appointment had to be cancelled following public criticism, the minister's daughter-in-law had become eligible for govt. pension as per rules. 

Opposition slammed the Left govt. for nepotism and criticised that the Communists who promised good times are in fact making sure that their relatives have a good time at top posts. Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said that nepotism amounts to corruption and demanded immediate revocation of all controversial postings. 

• CPM Kerala
• nepotism
• appointment of kith and kin
• EP Jayarajan
• Pinarayi Vijayan