THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The aisles of the secretariat are free from the reins of the power brokers said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He also commented that such vile practices ended in 2016, a sly remark hinting at the term end of the UDF government in 2016. The remarks from the chief minister came while responding to accusations from opposition leader V D Satheeshan in the assembly.

“ Power brokers are things of the past, only merit gets into business. The secretariat now houses eminent employees to look after the work unlike the older times of UDF regime” said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan

The chief minister also shed his view into other matters that the opposition accused of. “ Kerala police is efficient but some names are trying to taint the whole hard-working officers' efforts. They are on their way out. Hearing the name Thillenkery evokes names of martyrs, but the Gundas of present times will not be sheltered by the government.”

The chief minister also commented about the Attapadi Madhu murder and said the government will try its best to punish the criminals involved.