The firm stand taken by the CPI(M)’s allies in the LDF, particularly the CPI, also forced the CPI(M) to avoid a ‘’compromise formula’ to save Jayarajan.

The decision has had a twin effect: on the one hand, it has deprived the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) of a potent weapon to harass the government. Second, it has sent a powerful message to the party leaders and cadres that corruption won’t be tolerated.

So far so good. But much more needs to be done. And the party and the government headed by it has to do this fast. Failure to do so would result in the LDF Government once again losing the political initiative to the UDF.

The biggest worry for the CPI(M) and ipso facto, the LDF, is that the unsavoury Jayarajan episode happened. That it happened to a party and the government led by it, which stormed to power on a powerful plank of a battle against stinking corruption of the erstwhile UDF Government is a sad commentary. It exemplifies the extent and magnitude of the problems plaguing the CPI(M) in terms of ideological dilution and corrosion of the moral fibre.

True, the prompt decision to show Jayarajan the door has gone down well with the party cadres and the people at large alike. This was in refreshing contrast to the disgraceful conduct of ministers in the Oommen Chandy government which clung to power like a limpet despite an avalanche of corruption allegations against its ministers.

But the CPI(M) cannot afford to rest on its laurels by patting itself on the back on a job well done. It has its task cut out. It must be a matter of utmost concern that Jayarajan is now trying to defend the indefensible appointments of his relatives to top positions in a number of Public Sector Undertakings which climaxed in his resignation. Jayarajan’s explanation that he was a victim of a conspiracy hatched by a powerful mafia against whose interests he had worked, must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves. The clarification is at sharp variance with the statements made by both CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and the Chief Minister that Jayarajan resigned on realising the serious mistake he had committed. Jayarajan’s irresponsible statements must be stopped forthwith. Otherwise, it would reinforce the perception that his resignation was secured because there was no other option. By continuing to make such statements, Jayarajan is also creating the impression that he does not agree with the party’s explanation of his conduct!

But, then, Jayarajan has always been a leader who kicked up controversies at regular intervals, creating a headache for the party. Jayarajan gained notoriety when he accepted on behalf of Deshabhimani, the CPI(M) mouthpiece, a donation of Rs two crore from controversial lottery king Santiago Martin. This was when the Achuthanandan Government was locked in a grim battle against lotteries from other states! Jayarajan was again in the news when he published a front-page advertisement in Deshabhimani by another controversial businessman, V M Radhakrishnan. After he became a minister, Jayarajan who was also in charge of the Sports portfolio, crossed swords with Olympian Anju Bobby George who accused him verbally for abusing her over the appointment of her brother in the Sports Council of which she was the chairperson.

True, decisive action by Pinarayi has helped the party and the LDF Government to blunt the edge of the campaign launched by the Congress-led UDF. The UDF agitation has fizzled out with the CM managing once again, to outsmart the opposition by sacking Jayarajan. A desperate UDF is now trying to revive the agitation by targeting Pinarayi himself and demanding that the probe against Jayarajan should cover the CM’s role as well in the controversy!
(IPA Service)