Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Local Administration Minister K T Jaleel's relative Adeeb K T on Sunday expressed willingness to resign from the post of the general manager of Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation amid a controversy over his appointment.
Adeeb's decision comes amid staunch protest against Jaleel who has been facing charges of nepotism over the appointment, which was done allegedly by flouting rules relating to qualification. Adeeb, in a letter to the corporation, said he was ready to quit as the ongoing controversy has hurt his self esteem. He sought permission to rejoin the South Indian Bank where he had been working, Manorama News reported. His letter is likely to be considered by the corporation when it meets on Monday.
The controversy erupted after the Muslim Youth League on November 2 alleged nepotism by the minister. IUML activists had shown black flags to the minister on various occasions.
The Managing Director and Chairman of the Corporation A P Abdul Wahab came out in support of the minister, saying Adeep was appointed as only he was qualified.
Fresh nepotism charges also came up against the minister after former Haj Committee members alleged favouritism in appointments at the Karippur Haj House.
Senior Congress leaders, including Oommen Chandy and Mullappally Ramachandran, have demanded the minister's resignation.
Opposition Congress and the BJP have been organising protests across the state demanding the resignation of Jaleel.
However, Jaleel Thursday reiterated that all the allegations against him were baseless.
He said the Muslim League was after him since 2006 when he won the assembly seat from Kuttipuram constituency.
Jaleel had left the Muslim League and contested the election as an independent candidate with the support of LDF.
The minister also said that he was never asked to provide any explanation by the LDF.
Jaleel is the second minister of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government being caught in nepotism row.
In October 2016, just five months after coming to power, then Industries minister E P Jayarajan had to resign on a similar charge.
However, Jayarajan was reinstated as a minister in August this year after the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau, which probed the case, absolved him of the charges.
