RSP leader and Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John on Tuesday questioned the Governor's recommendation to dismiss the Public Service Commission (PSC) members. He alleged political motives behind the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation involving former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
He clarified that RSP does not agree with the Governor's stance. He said that efforts to weaken constitutional institutions through such steps are not acceptable.
He also questioned the timing of ED's action in the case against Pinarayi Vijayan. The investigation was not expedited for a long time. He said the agency's recent actions raise questions about its intentions.
The minister said it is not clear under what constitutional power the Governor has recommended the mass dismissal of PSC members. PSC is a constitutional body responsible for recruitment to government services.
He said that any attempt to weaken such institutions through arbitrary action is not acceptable. Shibu Baby John said that RSP does not support the Governor's stand on this issue.
Referring to the ED investigation related to Pinarayi Vijayan, the minister alleged that the agency's investigation has become a mere sham.
He raised questions as to why the central agencies remained inactive for so long and why the matter was not properly pursued during the tenure of the previous Pinarayi government.
He said the ED's fresh move now is suspicious, and alleged that there is a clear political motive behind it.
The minister also made it clear that the United Democratic Front (UDF) government will not simply follow the path adopted by the central agency. He said that the public had not elected the UDF government to act as per the instructions of the ED.
The government will have to take decisions based on constitutional principles and public sentiments and not be influenced by the political maneuvers of the investigating agencies. His comments are important because they come from within the ruling UDF camp.
These comments emphasize that the government should keep its stand clear on investigation and constitutional issues rather than blindly supporting the actions of central agencies. Both these issues have also exposed the relationship between constitutional authorities, investigating agencies and the elected government.