Rajeev Chandrasekhar urges Kerala CM to hold talks with PSC candidates

BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar urged Chief Minister VD Satheesan to hold talks with PSC rank-list candidates protesting appointment delays. He backed their demands, called for an end to police action and warned that further delay could trigger wider protests across Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday urged Chief Minister VD Satheesan to urgently hold talks with PSC rank-list candidates who have been protesting for the past 38 days demanding appointments.

Candidates who made it to the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) list for various government jobs are conducting a hunger strike in Thiruvananthapuram due to delays in their appointments.

---

BJP has extended support to agitators and organised protest marches across Kerala recently.

In a letter to the chief minister, Chandrasekhar said the candidates had also been on a hunger strike for the past 10 days and criticised the government’s alleged dismissive attitude towards their agitation.

He said it was “shameful” that youngsters who had studied hard, cleared examinations and secured places in the Kerala PSC rank list had to take to the streets to fight for their rights.

“It is the responsibility of a democratic government to listen to the legitimate demands of hard-working, qualified candidates and hold discussions with them,” Chandrasekhar said.

He said concerns had arisen among the candidates regarding the credibility and transparency of a constitutional institution such as the Kerala PSC and urged the government to take their grievances seriously.

Instead of suppressing the protesting youth, the government should listen to their demands and take steps to resolve their issues, he said.

Chandrasekhar also demanded the stopping of police action against the peacefully protesting candidates.

He urged the chief minister to invite representatives of the protesting candidates for talks, hear their demands directly and take prompt action on their legitimate grievances.

“Necessary steps must be taken to secure the future of the candidates waiting for appointment in the rank list. Police action against peacefully protesting youth should cease immediately,” he said.

Chandrasekhar warned that further delay could worsen the situation and lead to massive public protests in Kerala if the government failed to address the candidates’ demands.

He said the government had a responsibility to protect the future of Kerala’s youth and maintain public trust in the PSC recruitment system.