Thiruvananthapuram (The Hawk): Senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar called this a "recruitment scam" by the CPI-M at the protest by the BJP and Congress outside the Thiruvananthapuram (TVM) Corporation in Kerala demanding the resignation of the Mayor Arya Rajendran for allegedly trying to grant positions for 295 CPI-M activists.
The current political deadlock was sparked by a letter that allegedly was sent by the Mayor to CPI-M district secretary Anavoor Nagappan asking for a "priority list" of applicants for contractual posts in the corporation.
"The ruling CPI-M was clearly involved in a recruitment scheme in this case... Since it is solely for the CPI-M and they are involved in corruption, honest, hardworking youth will not be able to find employment. The former Union Minister and national in-charge of the Kerala BJP unit said, "A real investigation should be conducted, and we would assist you (the state BJP cadres) totally.
Javadekar, a Rajya Sabha member, arrived to greet the irate party members who have been camped out in front of the Corporation office for the previous five days. The BJP leader at the time vehemently denounced the police operations against the BJP cadres who were demonstrating.
The demonstrators, which included Congress-led UDF workers as well, were calling for the resignation of the nation's youngest female mayor over allegations of corruption. The police responded by firing tear gas shells and using water cannons to drive them away.
Rajendran has now told the media that leaving her position is out of the question because she continues to have the support of all of her council members and of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
"The opposition is free to demonstrate, but I won't step down since I have the support of all of my council members. We appreciate the Kerala High Court asking for my version and are prepared for any investigation. Additionally, we will completely assist with the ongoing Crime Branch investigation and are prepared to turn over mobile phones if doing so will enhance the investigation, said Rajendran.
Despite Rajendran's claim that she and the party are "ready to collaborate," CPI-M council members Nagappan and D.R. Anil have yet to appear before the investigation team, citing a busy schedule.
On Friday, the Director of Vigilance also ordered an investigation by the Vigilance department after receiving complaints about the "rampant nepotism prevailing in the Corporation."
(Inputs from Agencies)