Thiruvananthapuram 19 Aug : It’s not the first time there has been a claim of nepotism against a prominent Kerala CPI-M politician.There have been a number of similar job vacancies in institutions that have caused an uproar in the state.
While in three instances, jobs were handled, Priya Varghese is yet to get a job. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who is also the Chancellor, yesterday stopped the selection process to allow the appointment of Priya Varghese to the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Malayalam at Kannur University with immediate effect until further instructions.
Priya is the wife of K.K.Raghesh who was a the former Rajya Sabha member and the current private secretary of the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Similar job assignments of the wives of CPI-M’s top leaders that have caused controversy include the wife of two-time former Lok Sabha member P.K.Biju as well as the wife of the State Industries Minister, as well as ex- Rajya Sabha Member P.Rajiv
Biju’s wife has an teaching position in Kerala University, and Rajiv’s wife also got the job in Cochin University.
Reports of the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly M.B.Rajesh’s wife who is employed in the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady have also come up.
The Congress-led Opposition held protests against the appointments.Although Priya’s wife of Rajesh was appointed Priya’s tenure continues to be under the fire, as there are reports that she along with the Kannur University will move the Kerala High Court.
Governor Khan of lately has been blowing cold and hot and, on Friday he declared that he will need to check with legal experts to determine whether an official of a subordinate position is able to approach the courts to challenge the head.
“The power of Raj Bhavan are governed by the Constitution, and the directions are only issued by the President.
Hence, I won’t say anything other than that.The current issue (Priya Varghese) is a matter of politics, so I will also take up the issue with it in a political manner,” said Khan.
The former Law Minister and CPI-M central committee member P.Balan slammed Governor Khan and said that the manner he was acting was not in harmony with the culture and pride of Kerala.
“There is nothing amiss in the selection of Priya Varghese if all regulations and rules were followed, and he is acting in the manner that is in violation of the Constitution.” Balan added.Balan.
In the meantime, a 10 day Assembly session will start on August 22.The Leader of opposition V.D.Satheesan had stated that all University appointments made following Vijayan was elected in 2016 should be taken in for a second look.All eyes are on whether this issue is brought up in the House of the Assembly because both Rajesh and Rajiv are members of the Assembly.
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