Thiruvananthapuram, 05 June (H.S):Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph on Friday defended the appointment of his brother-in-law, Benny Thomas, to his personal staff, dismissing allegations of nepotism and insisting that the selection was based on public service credentials and political experience rather than family ties.
The controversy arose after Thomas, a Kannur District Congress Committee (DCC) General Secretary and the husband of the minister’s sister, was appointed Additional Private Secretary to the minister. The opposition CPM criticised the move, alleging favouritism and questioning the government's commitment to ethical governance.
Responding to the criticism, Joseph said Thomas was chosen because of his long association with public life and grassroots politics. He noted that Thomas had served as his chief election agent during the Assembly elections in Peravoor and that the appointment was also recommended by the district Congress leadership.
According to the minister, Thomas has years of experience in public service and has previously served as a panchayat member. Joseph maintained that there were no legal or procedural issues with the appointment and stressed that the decision was made transparently.
The minister said he had appointed Thomas directly to his personal staff because he had nothing to conceal and believed the Congress leader’s administrative and political experience made him suitable for the position.
Senior Congress leader and Health Minister K. Muraleedharan also came out in support of the appointment. He argued that Thomas possessed significant political experience and had earlier served as a panchayat president, making him qualified for the role irrespective of his relationship with the minister.
The issue was raised in the Kerala Assembly earlier this week by CPM MLA V. Joy while moving an adjournment motion notice related to the transfer of government employees. Joseph responded to the allegations on the floor of the House.
CPM MLA and DYFI leader V.K. Sanoj later intensified the criticism, alleging that the appointment amounted to nepotism and demanding the minister’s resignation. He also questioned why Congress and UDF leaders, who had previously criticised similar appointments made by political opponents, were now defending the move.
The controversy has sparked a broader political debate over appointments to ministers’ personal staff and the role of relatives in such positions within the state government.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
