Pleader row: Dean Kuriakose admits recommending Jaeona as Congress in Kerala downplays internal rift

The controversy over the appointment of advocate Jaeona James as a government pleader took a fresh turn on Saturday after Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose confirmed that he had recommended her for the post, even as senior Congress leaders sought to play down reports of a rift within the party.

Kuriakose's confirmation came after former minister K Babu disclosed that the recommendation had come from a young Congress MP. While Babu did not initially name the MP, he indicated that it was neither Shafi Parambil nor Hibi Eden.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi News, Kuriakose said he had indeed recommended Jaeona James and would officially explain the reasons for doing so in the coming days. He declined to comment further.

Babu had defended the appointment process, saying the Chief Minister could not be blamed alone as merit and qualifications also had to be considered. He argued that politics could not be the sole criterion in every appointment and said criticism directed only at the Chief Minister was unfair because the recommendation had come from a Congress MP.

The appointment of Jaeona James, a former Students Federation of India (SFI) activist, has sparked discontent within the Congress, particularly after the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the party's student wing, objected to her appointment as a government pleader. SFI is the student wing of the CPM.

Congress dismisses reports of internal rift

Amid the growing controversy, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala dismissed reports of differences between Chief Minister V D Satheesan and the KSU, saying any grievances within the Congress would be resolved through discussions.

The row began after Satheesan said on Wednesday that government pleaders were appointed on the basis of merit and recommendations and that the government would not function under pressure from political parties or student organisations.

KSU state president Aloshious Xavier had said on Friday that if the UDF government considered his opposition to the appointment of a former SFI activist as a government pleader a "mistake", he would repeat it.

Responding to reporters, Chennithala denied there was any serious dispute within the Congress.

"When you compare it to the disputes between the CPM and the CPI, what dispute is there within the Congress? If there are any issues, we will sit together and resolve them," he said.

He claimed the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) was struggling to resolve its own internal differences.

"They are in a state where they cannot even resolve the problems within the LDF. They can't even hold a front meeting. No such issues exist in Congress. If KSU workers have any grievances, those grievances will certainly be examined and resolved. I believe the chief minister himself will take the initiative," he said.

Chennithala also rejected suggestions that Satheesan was unwilling to meet KSU leaders.

"If the KSU leaders have an opinion, there is nothing wrong in expressing it. They have expressed their opinions in the past as well. But there are certain procedures. If they meet the chief minister and place their concerns before him, he will certainly consider them. He will not disregard them. Not just him, all of us will consider them," he said.

KSU says issue should not be overstated

Meanwhile, Xavier sought to tone down the dispute, saying it should not be portrayed as a major confrontation between the KSU and the government.

He said the issue related to a specific appointment and that the KSU had already communicated its concerns to both the government and the Congress leadership.

"We informed the government of our concerns and also informed the party. The party has assured us that it will intervene in the matter. As a disciplined party worker, it is my responsibility not to say a single word more or less than that," Xavier said.

He added that discussions were continuing and expressed confidence that the KSU would soon get an opportunity to present its views before the government.

"We are absolutely certain that it will never reach a stage where the KSU is ignored. We are waiting to meet our chief minister," he said.

Asked whether an appointment had been sought with Satheesan, Xavier said the KSU was in constant touch with the Chief Minister's Office.

Rejecting suggestions that AICC general secretary K C Venugopal was using the KSU to raise the issue, Xavier said the student organisation had always functioned independently.

"KSU is an organisation that has the freedom to take independent positions and express its opinions. That has been its character from its inception," he said.