Chandy gives Kerala Vigilance Director the boot

Chandy’s logic: ‘‘It was improper to file an FIR in such an important matter before ascertaining government’s views. The Home Secretary forwarded the report with the words ‘for orders’. I also sought the advice of the AG. But the FIR was filed before the government could apply its mind…. We do not want to provoke any suspicion.’’ But he has done just that. Certain utterances by him during his post-Cabinet briefing confounds things further. He removed Verma, but said he was happy with investigations under him. The FIR irked him, but he said the Department was within its rights to file it. He had been opposing any move to transfer the case to CBI.

A flummoxed Verma told Express: ‘‘I have full confidence in what the Vigilance had been doing. The government was informed well in advance that the case would be registered…’’

Was Chandy hurt as the Vigilance move would rob him of a weapon against LDF in the elections? The FIR shows both fronts are responsible for shortcomings in the deal.

Did Chandy suspect a conspiracy involving K. Karunakaran and Verma? The DIC(K) leader reportedly held discussions with Verma recently. Was he hoping to take a high moral ground by suggesting UDF had nothing to fear? Or was he banking on the CBI bogey to scuttle political fortunes of CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan?