April 23, 2024

The so-called ‘people’s government’ in Kerala, so careful about giving “freedom” of eating and dressing to the citizens, has also given freedom to loot the state to its various ministers. Quite unlike the stated principles of communist governance, the comrades, their supporting parties and their cronies are being caught dipping into state resources for private gains. Three ministers have resigned from the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet since it came to power 16 months ago. First it was Saseendran, the erstwhile transport minister who quit when he was caught on tape having a sleazy conversation with a woman. Liberals could put it to freedom of sex.

Next, the then industries minister, EP Jayarajan, quit over nepotism charges. Liberals could now put it to right to promote family and friends. In the latest episode, transport minister Thomas Chandy has quit after his resort was found to be flouting wetland rules and encroaching on government land. His resignation came after a Kerala High Court prod. Liberals can now put it to the right to loot the state and break laws.

Really, the LDF is just a sham. There are no communist principles in the governance of a front dominated by the CPI (M). The comrades have imbibed all the bad habits of all other parties. Additionally, they have taken up to murder and arson to silence those who support the BJP or the RSS. It is sad that the LDF is doing all that it is accusing Modi of doing. If Modi is guilty of not reining in cow vigilantes and divisive elements, Vijayan is guilty of turning a blind eye to murders of Hindu activists. How can one of these be bad and the other good?

Further, the Vijayan cabinet is the most corrupt the state has ever seen. Thomas Chandy, despite being the richest legislator in the state, has an almost insatiable appetite for generating wealth by any means. So he does not think twice before asking his cronies to fill a pond and use the land to extend his flourishing resort. But he had not bargained for a tough district collector in TV Anupama from Alappuzha. She wrote a report which highlighted the deviations and the High Court has now ordered action, leading to his resignation.

Vijayan must first put his house in order before crying hoarse over Modi’s decisions. Something is definitely wrong with the band of looters he has assembled as his cabinet. He must identify greedy ministers and weed them out before another scandal hits his government. This is necessary to provide good governance and also if he has any wish to retain power after three and half years. There are still many ministers in his cabinet who are corrupt, too full of themselves and given to shady dealings. Vijayan must purge them before another upright collector exposes their nefarious activities.

image credit: matrubhumi.com