Citing "legal issues", Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today kept away from a function where he was to unveil senior IPS officer and former Vigilance Director Jacob Thomas's autobiography, following which the programme was cancelled.
Vijayan was scheduled to release the book 'Sravukalkkoppam Neenthumbol' (While Swimming along with Sharks), which reportedly has controversial remarks about several political bigwigs including former chief minister Oommen Chandy, at the press club here in the evening.
But in an unexpected turn of events, shortly before the start of the function, the chief minister's office stated that the CM would not be able to participate in the book release.
"I did not take part in the programme as there are legal issues. The Law Secretary pointed out some legal aspects," Vijayan said.
Senior Congress leader and former cultural affairs minister, K C Joseph also shot of a letter to Vijayan against participating in the programme, citing legal issues.
Joseph, in his letter, said the former Vigilance Director, who is now on leave, had violated the 'Kerala Government Service Conduct Rules' and the Centre's 'The Police Restriction of Rights Act 1966' by writing the book.
He also alleged that Thomas had misused official documents and files for personal gain by revealing them in the book.
TV channels reported that there was an intelligence report that Congress workers were likely to disrupt the function.
With the chief minister deciding to keep away, Thomas cancelled the event and said there won't be any formal book release event.
"I have published my autobiography...What is the violation in it? There have been precedents of civil service officials, both IAS and IPS, publishing books while in service," Jacob Thomas told PTI.
He said there will not be any formal function to release his book and it would be available to people through book shops and online stores.
The 1985-batch IPS officer also said he was ready to face any legal fallout.
Indicating that he would come out with more books, Thomas said there will a second part for 'Sravukalkkoppam Neenthumbol' soon.
In the book, Thomas has reportedly attacked leaders and former ministers, including former chief minister Oommen Chandy, Kerala Congress (B) leader K Balakrishna Pillai and CPI's C Divakaran, and mentioned how the investigation of some controversial corruption cases were allegedly sabotaged.
The 240-page autobiography is the 11th book by Thomas, who has penned works on strategic management, environment and leadership.
Thomas, whose working style often triggered controversy, was asked to go on leave by the government on March 31 after the Kerala High Court criticised him over various cases pending before it.
Today's development came as a surprise as Vijayan had all along been supporting Thomas, despite senior bureaucrats' expressing displeasure.
They had even threatened to go on mass casual leave alleging that Thomas was acting with a vendetta.
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