NRI's suicide: Jayarajan blames Anthoor Municipality leadership, officials

Kannur: CPM state secretariat member P Jayarajan has put the blame for the suicide of a non-resident Indian (NRI) investor from Kerala on local body leadership and officials of Anthoor Municipality.

Addressing a political explanatory meeting at Dharmashala, he said the municipal secretary was unnecessarily adamant over the issue.

"The licence was not issued even after the defects of the building were rectified. The secretary adopted a negative approach," Jayarajan said.

Lapses on the part of the officials were grave, the CPM leader said.

He sought legal action against them.

"Moreover, the ruling elected local body members failed to correct the stand of the officials. The secretary at Anthoor is a person who does not listen even to the municipal chairperson," quipped the leader.

Earlier, there were reports that Anthoor municipality chairperson P K Shyamala had informed the party leadership about her willingness to resign from the post amid the controversy over the suicide of the businessman.

Shyamala is the wife of CPM central committee member M V Govindan.

The CPM on Saturday convened an emergency meeting of the party district secretariat and asked Shyamala to give an explanation.

However, Shayamala is yet to hand over the resignation letter to the municipal secretary.

Meanwhile, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said action had been taken against the erring officials. "The governments as well as the police are investigating the matter. Most of the complaints received are settled quickly, but there are more petitions from the people. Officials are not implementing the decisions of the ruling body. Many of the officers are adding notes to delay the decisions," Kodiyeri said at a press meet.

"Some officers consider themselves to be superior to elected members. The government should examine this matter and amend the law in this regard, if necessary," added the CPM leader.