Malappuram (Kerala), Oct 6 (IANS): Kerala's Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Thursday demanded a full fledged probe into all the appointments made in the IT department when former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan headed it (2006-2011).
IUML secretary K.P.A. Majeed made the demand while reacting to a claim that Achuthanandan bypassed the first-ranked candidate and offered the job of Infopark CEO to the second-ranked candidate, who happened to be a relative of former Lok Sabha member Sebastian Paul.
"We demand that a thorough inquiry be launched into all appointments made by Achuthanandan in the IT department. What has been revealed by P.C. George, the government chief whip, is only just the tip of the iceberg," he said.
Earlier in the day, George told reporters at Kottayam that Achuthanandan is taking people for a ride by projecting himself as a crusader against all evil, but was actually a corrupt man himself.
"The records for the appointment made for the post of Kochi Infopark CEO early this year by Achuthanandan show that it is a clear violation of all norms. Ninety-nine people had applied and 12 were short listed for the interview that was conducted by a panel of four.
"After the interview, three were short listed and the present CEO, Joji Joseph, was the second in the list, but Achuthanandan asked him to be posted, ignoring the number one candidate," said George, while distributing copies of the proceedings of the interview.
"I have submitted all the documents to this effect to the government and have demanded that the vigilance probe this appointment," said George.
State Vigilance Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said he has got George's complaint which is being looked into and very soon a decision on what needs to be done would be taken.
Achuthanandan, meanwhile, brushed aside George's allegation.
"I am surprised that you media give a lot of coverage to George. Every other day, George has some allegations to be levelled. You should see that you do not give importance to people like George," he said.