CPI lashes out at LDF govt for practicing nepotism in appointing officials

CPI called the practice an "inexpiable crime" and a grave injustice for the highly qualified unemployed youth of Kerala

Breaking its silence over the left's nepotism in appointing officials to plum posts in public sector units, the Communist Party of India (CPI), a key partner in the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala, said such acts amounted to "injustice" and "crime" towards the unemployed youth in the state.

In a hard-hitting editorial in 'Janayugam', the party mouthpiece, the CPI said attempts to justify one's "own actions" by lining up corruption stories of political opponents, would not stand before the public.

What makes the left front distinct among the "complexities of bourgeoisie democracy, is the high ethics maintained by its leaders and party workers and no action tarnishing this can be accepted," it said.

"Nepotism is undoubtedly corruption. A facelift explanation cannot justify it," the editorial said, indicating the party's displeasure over the raging row.

The article further critcised the practice saying it was an "inexpiable crime" and a grave injustice for the highly qualified unemployed youth of Kerala.

The article also reminded that the strong stand taken by Left Democratic Fund (LDF) against corruption had helped the front to come to power in the May 16 Assembly polls.

Though the present controversy had cast its shadow over the LDF government, which came to power putting an end to the five year-long "corrupt rule" of Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), the article said the row would die down "when there is realisation on the lapses and the mistakes are rectified."

When asked about the ongoing row over the appointments, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said yesterday: "The issues which have cropped up now, the government viewed them seriously. We will decide together and take an appropriate decision."

LDF government's decision to appoint relatives of party leaders in key posts in state PSUs has triggered a controversy in the state with UDF and BJP demanding scrapping of the appointments and an inquiry into the matter.

Veteran Marxist and Chairman of the state Administrative Reforms Committee, V S Achuthanandan, has also criticised the government over the controversy.