Thiruvananthapuram: The appointment of two senior govt pleaders with alleged past affiliations to student political wings has escalated into a fresh flashpoint within Congress, after chief minister V D Satheesan declined to meet KSU state president Aloysius Xavier.The row centres on D S Sharath, accused by critics of RSS links, and Jaeona James, who has faced allegations of past SFI affiliation—both appointed as senior govt pleaders reportedly on Satheesan’s recommendation. The KSU chief had sought an appointment with the chief minister after Satheesan questioned the student outfit’s protest against the appointments, asking, “What does KSU have to do with the appointment of a govt pleader?”The remark drew sharp reactions from KSU leaders and sections of Congress. KSU state committee had wanted Satheesan to withdraw his comments and reconsider the appointments, but the request for a meeting was turned down.Congress spokesperson V R Anoop, seen as close to AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, criticised the chief minister for refusing to meet Xavier, saying the student organisation deserved at least the consideration extended to Hindu Aikya Vedi leaders in the past. He also cited former KSU leader P M Niyas’s similar experience, and said Congress workers expected the chief minister to grant KSU an audience.The remarks prompted a sharp response from Satheesan loyalist Raju P Nair, DCC general secretary, Ernakulam, who accused some leaders of publicly attacking the party leadership out of personal disappointment while indirectly serving the interests of CPM and Sangh Parivar.He maintained that grievances over govt decisions should first be raised with the chief minister or the KPCC president, rather than aired through the media. Kozhikode DCC general secretary Nijesh Aravind also backed Satheesan, accusing KSU leaders of creating unnecessary controversy.The appointments have already drawn opposition beyond the KSU leadership itself, from former KSU unit presidents of Thiruvananthapuram Law College, as well as members of the Congress-affiliated Indian Lawyers Congress.Satheesan had on Wednesday said the appointment of the new govt pleaders was based on merit and recommendations. He also added that the state does not bow to pressure from political or student organizations while choosing its legal representatives.Meanwhile, the state unit of the Indian Lawyers’ Congress claimed the appointments were proposed by the state attorney, not by the organisation. It also alleged that the chief minister repeatedly declined requests for a meeting to discuss the appointments.
