Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala has said that the LDF government is trying to save face by approaching the Kerala High Court against the Lokayukta verdict against KT Jaleel.
Chennithala pointed out that the government is approaching the court against the Lokayukta appointed by themselves. “A committee of the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Assembly Speaker and I appointed the Lokayukta. However, the decision was not according to recommendations,” Chennithala informed reporters.
The Opposition Leader claimed that Jaleel did not resign out of morality but out of desperation. KPCC President Mullappally Ramachandran also agreed KT Jaleel resigned as Education Minister to save face. Ramachandran asked why there was drama over Jaleel’s resignation. “If the Kerala government was planning to move a writ petition against the Lokayukta verdict then why was there drama over Jaleel’s resignation,” asked Ramachandran.
Earlier, the state government has received legal advice that it can approach the court over the Lokayukta report against former minister Jaleel. According to the Advocate General, the government can approach the court as it did not get the opportunity to explain its stance. Apparently, there were lapses in the procedures by the Lokayukta and that they should have followed procedures similar to that in a civil court. The Advocate General claimed that the Lokayukta cannot simply rule to remove a minister.
Meanwhile, Jaleel who resigned after the Kerala Lokayukta found him guilty of nepotism and violation of oath of office said that the reason why he announced his resignation via Facebook is that he had undergone surgery on his neck and that he was recuperating from it. According to the former minister, he has been advised a two-week rest. He added that he would meet the media once he was fine.
