Former minister for welfare of scheduled tribes and youth affairs, P. K. Jayalakshmi (file photo)Kalpetta: Former minister for welfare of scheduled tribes and youth affairs, P. K. Jayalakshmi, on Monday said that malicious campaigns run by vested interests for political gains have driven her to the brink of suicide.
“I’m undergoing severe mental trauma due to this utterly unsubstantiated allegations and baseless rumors. These reports are fabricated and are circulated by certain ‘cyber’ quotation gangs. A thorough inquiry is required to trace the source of these news and stringent action should be initiated against those behind such false propaganda,” she said.
“I don’t know why they want to tarnish the image of a tribal woman and indulge in character assassination,” she added.
Jayalakshmi, the first tribal minister in the state, said she had initiated many innovative and constructive schemes for the welfare of tribal people during her term in the Oommen Chandy-led UDF ministry. She could ensure the coordinated efforts of officials from bottom of the bureaucratic hierarchy to its higher echelons while implementing such schemes.
“But now only I’m being targeted. These people with ulterior motives are trying to pin the entire blame on me,” she said.
On the charges of nepotism in the tribal loan waiver scheme, she said: “I did not do a single relative any favor. There are over 200 members in our Tharavad (ancestral home). We share a common surname, but most of them are not my relatives. Moreover, would a nationalized bank be ready to write off bad loans if a state minister asked it to do so? I will quit politics if these charges are proven,” she said.
According to Jayalakshmi, it was with her knowledge KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran demanded an inquiry into the allegations of corruption in the Scheduled Tribes Development Department during the previous UDF government’s term. I welcome any probe by any agency into those charges,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Wayanad District Congress Committee (DCC) has decided to stand firmly with Jayalakshmi and extend full support to her.
“Let the LDF government conduct a thorough probe into the charges leveled against her. The government would be reluctant, because many NGO union leaders owing allegiance to the Left parties will get exposed if a fair and impartial investigation is conducted,” said DCC president K. L. Poulose and KPCC executive member N. D. Appachan in a joint statement.
