THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India, 3 September 2007 — Kerala Works Minister T.U. Kuruvila yesterday said he would resign from the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) last week recommended a judicial inquiry into charges of irregularities in a land deal involving members of Kuruvila’s family. The minister said he would hand in his resignation to the chief minister today.
P.J. Joseph, chairman of Kuruvila’s Kerala Congress (J) party and his predecessor who had to quit after allegations of sleaze a year ago, said his party would meet Sept. 15 to decide on Kuruvila’s successor.
“I donned the mantle unwillingly and I feel relieved now,” Kuruvila, 71, said while addressing party workers at Joseph’s residence in Thodupuzha. “I never wanted to even contest elections,” he added.
Chief Secretary Lissie Jacob had suggested a detailed investigation into the nexus between revenue and survey officials and irregularities in registering documents. The LDF state committee then asked the chief minister to seek the service of a high court judge and complete the probe in three months.
