The appointment of journalist U. Shaiju as Assistant Private Secretary to Kerala Higher Education Minister Roji M. John has triggered a political controversy, with Youth Congress leaders and senior Congress functionaries raising objections over his links to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) and his reported role in campaigning against UDF candidates during local body elections.
The controversy erupted after Youth Congress leaders submitted a complaint to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), demanding immediate intervention and the cancellation of Shaiju’s appointment to the minister’s personal staff.
According to the complaint, U. Shaiju, a native of Kayamkulam and a journalist with MediaOne channel, also a member of the Welfare Party – the political wing of Jamaat-e-Islami. He, therefore, had actively campaigned for Welfare Party candidates during the recent local body elections.
Youth Congress leaders alleged that Shaiju worked against the UDF during the elections and specifically campaigned to defeat A. Irshad, the UDF candidate from Ward No. 1 of Kayamkulam Municipality and the UDF convener for the Kayamkulam Assembly constituency.
As evidence, complainants submitted videos purportedly showing Shaiju participating in election campaigning and making public announcements in support of Welfare Party candidates. They argued that an individual who allegedly worked to defeat a UDF candidate should not be rewarded with a position in the personal staff of a Congress minister.
Afzal Plamoottil, president of the Kayamkulam Assembly constituency Youth Congress unit, stated that Congress workers in the region were deeply unhappy with the appointment. He questioned how a person accused of working against the UDF in a recent election could be appointed to a key position in the office of a UDF minister.
Congress leaders in Alappuzha district are also reported to have expressed dissatisfaction with the appointment, fearing that it could become a political weapon for rival parties, particularly the CPI(M)-led LDF and the BJP. They argue that appointing a person accused of campaigning for a Welfare Party candidate and working against a UDF nominee could create unnecessary political embarrassment for the Congress-led front.
According to Youth Congress leaders, attempts were made to contact Minister Roji M. John regarding the issue, but they were unable to obtain his response. They have demanded that Shaiju be removed from the post of Assistant Private Secretary and have warned of public protests if corrective action is not taken.
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