The latest row is over the Agriculture Minister KP Mohanan’s gifting of LCD TVs worth Rs 20,000 to all the 141 MLAs in the state.

The controversy would not have hogged the headlines but for the rejection of the gift by the Leader of the Opposition V S Achuthanandan. VS returned the TV set with a regret note, saying that at a time when the State is reeling under the impact of a severe drought, summer fury and an unprecedented financial crisis, distribution of such gifts amounts to the display of total insensitivity to the feelings of the poor in the state.

VS’s decision has been welcomed by the people of the state who think the diversion of precious public funds for dispersing gifts to MLAs is criminal. By rejecting the gift, VS has succeeded, once again, in occupying the moral high ground.

This is not the first time Achuthanandan has returned a gift. Last year also, he had returned an iPad given by Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty.

Achuthanandan’s No to gifts has also put the Opposition LDF MLAs in a spot. That the CPI(M) is divided on the issue is clear from the reaction of Opposition deputy leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who said there was nothing wrong in ministers giving gifts. Such practices had existed during the previous governments as well, Balakrishnan said.

It is clear that VS has taken the decision without consulting the party. If anything, it can only widen the gulf between the veteran leader and his detractors in the party.

It remains to be seen whether other opposition MLAs will follow VS’s example in rejecting the gift. No official reaction came from the other constituents of the Left Democratic Front(LDF) like the CPI and the RSP. CPI MLA V S Sunil Kumar is the only one to say that a decision in this regard will be taken by the party and the legislators will abide by that decision.

That the UDF Government is unfazed by the strong reaction to the controversy is clear from the move of Finance Minister K M Mani. Reports have it that the FM is planning to gift the latest edition of iPhones to all MLAs. Needless to say, Mani will be kicking up another controversy if he implements the decision. (IPA)