KC-B leader Balakrishna Pillai made Chairman of KSWC

CPI-M led LDF government came under flak for appointing Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai as the Chairman of the Kerala State Welfare Corporation for Forward Communities with cabinet rank.
KC-B, a former partner in the Congress led UDF, had snapped its ties with the Front in 2015 due to differences with Congress leadership, is now the outside supporter of ruling LDF.
Decision on his appointment was taken at the cabinet meeting held here yesterday.
Pillai, a former minister had held the same position when KC-B was with the UDF.
LDF then in Opposition had objected to his appointment as he had undergone imprisonment in a corruption case.

Reacting sharply to the appointment, opposition leader in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala said LDF, that had slammed UDF on Pillai's appointment, had forgotten all their criticism and made him chairman.

"LDF should apologise to the people for their U-turn", he said.
Chennithala also wanted to know the response to the new development from CPI-M veteran V S Achuthanandan who had perused thecorruption case against Pillai that eventually led to his conviction and imprisonment in 2011.
Meanwhile, Pillai said that his party has not demanded any position.
K B Ganeshkumar, son of Pillai, is the lone MLA of KC-B in the assembly.

CPI State secretary Kanam Rajendran said there was no need for any row over the issue as it was part of consensus arrived during the time of assembly polls.