VS, why the delay in taking up cabinet rank post? 'Go ask those who announced it!'

Thiruvananthapuram: In a latest development that tells us that all is not well in the CPM in Kerala, party veteran V.S. Achuthanandan launched a veiled attack at chief minister and his party colleague Pinarayi Vijayan.

Expressing displeasure over the delay in him taking charge as the chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, Achuthanandan said that the media should ask those who announced the post about it.

Recently, CM Pinarayi had stated that Achuthanandan had occupied office on August 18. However, when journalists asked VS about it, he chose not to reply.

The CPM leader also targeted Congress leader and former Kerala minister K. Babu over the vigilance probe against him.

“Congress is making excuses to get away with the charges. What happened in Babu's case is naked corruption,” Achuthanandan added.

In the first week of August, the LDF government had appointed Achuthanandan as the chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission with cabinet rank.

The chairman would have cabinet rank and would also have personal staff, it was said then.

The decision came after the LDF government introduced the Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualifications) Amendment Bill in the state Assembly last month to ensure that an elected MLA does not attract any disqualification even if he takes charge of such a post.

Opposition Congress had criticized the move saying it would further burden the state's 'Consolidated Fund'.

Achuthanandan was the face of the LDF campaign in the last Kerala assembly elections and was credited with leading LDF to an impressive victory.

However, he was sidelined by the party for the chief ministerial post citing advanced age and physical limitations and Pinarayi Vijayan was chosen.

At a press meet held then, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury had termed Achuthanandan as 'Fidel Castro of Kerala'.