Home » News » Under Fire For Demeaning Constitution Kerala Minister Saji Cheriyan Resigns

Kerala: Saji Cheriyan resigns as minister over Constitution remarks backlash

Speaking at a party function earlier this week, Cheriyan said the Indian Constitution endorses exploitation of the common man.

ByK A Shaji

Published Jul 06, 2022 | 4:34 PM ⚊UpdatedJul 23, 2022 | 4:13 PM

Kerala minister Saji Cheriyan has resigned. (Twitter/sajicherian_cpm)

A day after courting controversy with an anti-Constitution remark, Kerala’s Cultural Affairs, Fisheries, and Youth Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan resigned on the evening of Wednesday, 6 July, amid an outcry led by the Opposition.

Cheriyan, after handing over his resignation to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said, “I am resigning after seeing the campaign being run against me, which is tarnishing my party’s image.”

He added that the resignation comes purely to safeguard the party’s reputation.

Resignation under pressure?

A tweet confirming Cheriyan’s resignation and allocation of his portfolios to the chief minister was posted from Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan’s official handle.

Hon’ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan has approved the proposal of Chief Minister to accept the resignation of Shri Saji Cherian, Minister, Fisheries,Culture&Youth Affairs and to allot the portfolios held by Sri Saji Cherian to Chief Minister. @CMOKerala:PRO KeralaRajBhavan

— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) July 6, 2022

However, sources in the party claimed that Cheriyan was asked to resign by the CPI(M) central leadership.

Speaking at a party function earlier this week, Cheriyan said the Indian Constitution endorses exploitation and looting of the common man.

“The Constitution has been written in such a manner that it ensures that the common man is looted. What the British prepared, Indians penned down,” he had said.

Soon after the comments started making rounds on the internet, the Congress and the BJP took to the streets demanding his resignation.

Cheriyan on Wednesday, after meeting with the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, refused to resign from the ministerial position.

However, at the same time in New Delhi, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said, “The matter is being discussed by the state leadership, and appropriate action will be taken.”