Kerala Industries and Sports Minister EP Jayarajan, one of the prominent figures of the ‘Kannur lobby’ of the CPI (M) resigned over nepotism charges on Thursday. Jayarajan is the first casualty of the five month old Pinarayi government.
One among the three ‘Jayarajan’s who head Kannur politics in CPI(M), EP Jayarajan had secured the second best majority in the last Assembly elections, when he won by a margin of 42, 891 votes from the Mattannur constituency.
Though his resignation is sure to have a crucial impact on political dynamics within the party, ministers relinquishing office is not exactly a novel phenomenon for the Left in Kerala.
TNM takes a look at the history of ministers who had resign over various allegations in the previous two Left ministries in the state.
In the EK Nayanar Government from 1996 to 2001, Neelalohithadasan Nadar, the Minister for Forests and Transport- resigned on February 13, 2000. He was accused of sexually misbehaving with former Transport Secretary, Ms. Nalini Netto.
During the VS Achuthanandan Government from 2006 to 2011, PJ Joseph, the Minister for Public Works resigned on September 4, 2006, after he faced allegations of misbehaving with a woman passenger while on a flight. In August 2009, he returned as Minister following his acquittal and again resigned in 2010 March, after the controversial merger of Kerala Congress (J) -his party- with Kerala Congress (M) led by K. M. Mani.
In the same regime, TU Kuruvilla, the Minister for Public Works resigned in September 2007 after facing allegations over a land scam in Rajakumari in Idukki district.
Other non-controversial resignations:
EK Nayanar Government (1996 - 2001)
VS Achuthanandan Government (2006- 2011)