Ramya Haridas's move to appoint Palayam Pradeep as personal staff fails, Assembly Secretary returns letter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress MLA Ramya Haridas's attempt to appoint Palayam Pradeep, who was suspended by the KPCC over the Chirayinkeezhu scuffle controversy, to her personal staff with retrospective effect has hit a roadblock. The Legislative Assembly Secretary said the request could not be accepted as the letter was submitted with an earlier date, in violation of the rules. The letter was subsequently returned.

The MLA had sought to appoint Pradeep to her staff with retrospective effect from May 21, before the scuffle controversy arose.

Ramya Haridas had maintained that Pradeep was still officially part of her staff. The request for retrospective appointment was intended to support this claim. The letter was submitted today with September 4 as the date.

The MLA had also sought the retrospective appointment of Kunjahammed, a native of Kozhikode, along with Pradeep. However, the Assembly Secretariat made it clear that appointments with retrospective dates could not be processed. The MLA has been asked to submit a fresh application with the current date and immediate effect.

The latest controversy involving Pradeep began after he reportedly intervened and spoke at a review meeting attended by officials and others, despite holding no official position. Local Congress leaders questioned his participation in the meeting. It was following this controversy that the MLA moved to formally appoint Pradeep to her personal staff.