Kerala Assembly | LDF-UDF into wordy duel over Mayor's purported letter on appointments

State Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh claimed that there have been nearly two lakh appointments via the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC)

The first day of the Kerala Assembly's seventh session saw the UDF opposition alleging large-scale back-door appointments in local bodies across the State based on a letter allegedly written by Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor and sought her resignation, while the ruling Left front denied the allegations and termed them as "falsehoods."

The UDF sought adjournment of the House proceedings to discuss the issue raised by it, but the demand was rejected by the Assembly based on the explanations provided by State Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh who claimed that all permanent and temporary appointments have been made via the Public Service Commission or the Employment Exchange.

Mr. Rajesh contended that in the last six years of Left rule in the State, there have been nearly two lakh appointments via the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) which was more than most States of the country.

He said that in the last year, over 68,000 people have been appointed through the Employment Exchange and therefore, opposition claims that exchange and the PSC were mere spectators to the alleged back-door appointments was "falsehoods" and "false propaganda" being spread by them.

Mr. Rajesh also termed as "fake" the letter allegedly written by Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor Arya Rajendran to the district leadership of CPI(M) seeking names of party cadres to be appointed on contract in the civic body.

"In view of the explanations provided by the Minister, the motion to adjourn the House proceedings to discuss the issue raised is rejected," Speaker A N Shamseer said.

However, during the walkout speech by the Leader of Opposition (LoP) V D Satheesan, some remarks from the side of the Left front prompted several UDF MLAs to leave their seats and troop into the well of the House shouting slogans demanding resignation of the Mayor who purportedly wrote the letter in question.