Making a scathing attack against the Left government, he said the practice of giving pension benefits to the personal staff of ministers just after completing two years a few months ago was a 'gross violation and abuse of authority.'
In a Facebook post, Jaleel himself confirmed that he had put in his papers. "I am happy to say that those who had been baying for my blood can be relieved for now. I have submitted my resignation to the chief minister. Since the past two years, I have been facing a media onslaught," Jaleel, second minister in the LDF ministry to resign on nepotism charges, said in the post.
The body of M N Vijayan, critic, social activist and Marxist thinker, who died in Thrissur on Wednesday, was cremated on Thursday with state honours at Kudungallur in Thrissur.
The petitioners had stated that a person who had 'genuine interest' in the welfare of the two communities should be appointed as the minister. They also sought a special audit to find the reasons for the lapse of crores of rupees every year for the welfare of the SC-ST department.
In a rare gesture, not only the legislators of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist)-headed Left Democratic Front and Congress-led United Democratic Front, but the lone Bharatiya Janata Party member in the 140-member state assembly, O Rajagopal, also supported the resolution against the Centre, saying 'it is the democratic spirit'.
Amid the tussle with the government, the Governor on Sunday made it clear he would not remain a 'mute spectator' and would ensure the law of the land is upheld.
There are 13 new faces, including two women, in the cabinet. Five ministers had held positions in previous LDF ministries.
''This chief minister is so obstinate that he is ready to use the police to attain his goal.' 'Had he been more mature rather than obstinate, Kerala would not have reached a boiling point.'
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