KT Jaleel resigns as Kerala Minister at CM Pinarayi Vijayan's behest after Lokayukta order

In the latest development, tainted Kerala Minister KT Jaleel submitted his resignation to CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday after he was asked by the Lokayukta to step down from the Cabinet amid the controversy over his appointing his second cousin to head a government body. As per sources, KT Jaleel submitted his resignation in the backdrop of growing pressure from the Opposition demanding KT Jaleel to step down from the cabinet and reportedly did so after CM Vijayan asked him to do so. Taking to social media, KT Jaleel revealed that he had handed over his resignation to the Kerala CM on Tuesday and said that those who targeted him could be relieved as he had stepped down as minister. 

Lokayukta asks KT Jaleel to step down

The Lokayukta pulled up Jaleel for appointing his second cousin K.T. Adeeb as general manager of the Kerala State Minority Development Finance Corporation (KSMDFC) in 2018. A complaint was filed by V.K. Muhammad Shafi, a public interest litigant from Malappuram district.  As per reports, earlier in February, Jaleel's name was mired in controversy after he allegedly intervened in an unauthorised appointment of a teacher in  St Xavier’s College in Thiruvananthapuram. Jaleel allegedly directed the Vice-Chancellor of the university to appoint Fr Dr V Y Dasappan, who is the Latin teacher and principal of Thumba St Xavier’s College, as an English teacher, as per local reports. However, the University rejected Jaleel's request stating that UGC rules do not allow changing a teacher from the subject department in which he/she was appointed first.

Congress slams LDF government

Kerala's Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala demanded the resignation of minority affairs minister KT Jaleel after the Lokayukta him to step down as a cabinet minister for appointing his second cousin to head a government body. Slamming the LDF government after Lokayukta asked Jaleel to step down, the Congress leader claimed that it was an instance of nepotsim and corruption and noted that the Lokayukta had clearly mentioned the minority affairs Minister's involvement. Chennithala urged CM Pinarayi Vijayan to ask for T Jaleel's resignation and dismiss him from the cabinet, thereby following the Lokayukta's verdict. 

Kerala poll battle

While Congress has allied with Left in Bengal, in Kerala, the Congress-led UDF is the main contender to the Left-led LDF. Kicking off its 'Aishwarya Kerala Yatra', Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has vowed to bring legislation to protect the rights of the Ayyappa devotees when the UDF is voted to power. Rahul Gandhi has also visited the state multiple times, campaigning for UDF, amid massive revolt over ticket allocation. Congress has repeatedly called for CM Pinarayi Vijayan's resignation over a host of issues - Gold smuggling probe, Sandalwood probe, COVID handling, Sabarimala issue, Sprinklr row, Police social media order etc. Congress also witnessed several key leaders' exit including veteran PC Chacko due to 'internal factionalism'.

On the other hand, Kerala BJP pushed "Metro Man" E Sreedharan as its CM face after Sreedharan officially joined BJP in the presence of Union Minister RK Singh at Changaramkulam's 'Vijaya Yatra' on February 25.  BJP made a big push for Kerala, urging voters to give BJP a chance instead of the consecutive UDF & LDF regimes. Polls were held across all 140 seats on April 6 with a voter turnout of 74% and results will be announced on May 2.