Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala expresses displeasure over letter from his department which aided KAAPA-accused BJP councillor to secure leave
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has expressed dissatisfaction after a department letter was used to help an imprisoned BJP councillor avoid disqualification. The letter provided procedural advice on how to secure leave, causing political embarrassment for the Congress party.
Why it matters
The incident highlights potential administrative lapses and political friction between the ruling party and the opposition in Kerala.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has expressed displeasure at a letter from the Home department which was used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Thiruvananthapuram Corporation administration to secure six months of leave to BJP councillor R. Sugathan, who was arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) and currently lodged at the high-security correctional facility at Viyyur Central Prison in Thrissur in Kerala.
Congress councillor K.S. Sabarinadhan told The Hindu that he had met the Home Minister after the council meeting on Friday when the Minister said that his office was unaware of such a letter originating from the department. The department will look into how such a politically sensitive letter was sent out without the clearance of the Minister’s office.
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