THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There are hints that Tomin Thachanakary was removed as KSRTC MD according to the wishes of Transport Minister A K Saseendran.

According to sources, there was a difference of opinion between Thachankary and the minister over not including Bangalore-based MicroFx company in the tender procedures for buying ticket machine with GPS facility. Though the minister had made special recommendation, Thachankary was not ready to agree to the minister.

Finally, in the cabinet meeting, Saseendran’s demand was being executed. Thachankary had even locked horns with the minister when he was the Transport Commissioner. Then also Saseendran intervened to sack him from the post.

As per the conditions of KSRTC, MicroFx could not take part in the tender. Not only that there were allegations over the company’s dealing with the KSRTC ten years ago. Six thousand modern machines are needed. The contract is for more than Seven Crore rupees.

When KSRTC rejected MicroFx company, they approached the minister via a prominent NCP leader. The minister wrote a recommendation letter, signed it and sent it to Thachankary on January 29. The next day the company moved the high court against new conditions in the tender. Even the court asked the reason for the minister’s personal interest in the company. This resulted in panicky situation in the ministry and the very next day the decision came removing Thachankary as KSRTC MD.

However, the minister has denied the above allegation. “I have no differences with the former MD. I have not made any recommendations. What is being heard are just stories,” he reacted.

Meanwhile, Left Union leaders in the KSRTC is also known to have pressured the party for removing Thachankary, citing that his actions had brought a dip in the membership fee collection.