Thiruvananthapuram, 10 July (H.S.):Kerala Students Union (KSU) state president Aloshious Xavier on Friday publicly criticised the UDF-led state government over the appointment of government pleaders allegedly having links with the Students' Federation of India (SFI), describing the decision as unacceptable and demanding that it be reviewed.

In a strongly worded Facebook post, Aloshious said KSU workers who had spent years fighting for the Congress and enduring political struggles were being sidelined, while those who had allegedly targeted them in the past were now being rewarded with government positions.

The UDF government has no obligation to accommodate every SFI activist. The decision to appoint members of a group that repeatedly led attacks against KSU activists at Thiruvananthapuram Law College as government pleaders must be corrected, he said.

The KSU leader also expressed dissatisfaction with the response of some Congress leaders, alleging that many who had urged KSU activists to take to the streets against the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government were now unwilling to listen to the concerns of their own student workers.

It is an unhealthy trend that leaders who repeatedly called upon KSU workers to organise protests and agitations against the Pinarayi Vijayan government over the past decade are now refusing to answer calls made on behalf of KSU colleagues, he said.

Aloshious denied that his criticism was motivated by personal ambitions or expectations of political reward. He said he was speaking out solely to protect the interests of KSU workers.

I have no intention of seeking any personal government benefit. But attempts to ignore fellow KSU colleagues cannot be accepted, he said.

His remarks come against the backdrop of reported dissatisfaction within sections of the Congress after he was denied a party ticket in the previous Assembly elections. Traditionally, presidents of Congress-affiliated organisations have often been considered for Assembly seats, but Aloshious was not fielded from either his home district of Idukki or neighbouring Kottayam.

Referring to the sacrifices made by KSU activists, Aloshious said the organisation's contributions during the past ten years of opposition should not be forgotten.

A policy that turns those who carried water and cut firewood into mere spectators cannot be accepted, he said, using a Malayalam expression to suggest that grassroots workers were being ignored after making significant sacrifices for the party.

He further asserted that KSU workers would receive justice only if they spoke up collectively.

Many fellow workers who love the party may question why I have raised this issue publicly. But if the belief is that only those who cry the loudest will receive their due, then what else can one do? he asked.

The remarks are being seen as a rare instance of open criticism of the UDF government and the Congress leadership by the head of its student wing, highlighting growing discontent among sections of KSU over appointments and recognition for party workers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman