Thiruvananthapuram: High alert has been issued in all districts except Kasaragod, asking people to be extra vigilant as Leptospirosis has taken away 43 lives post the floods that ravaged the State.

As Kerala needs a leader to help them, the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for the US on Sunday. And he is expected to return in three weeks after treatment and a possible surgical procedure at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The chief minister has not handed over charge to anybody and that has raised eyebrows. 

Pinarayi Vijayan was a victim of trolls when he planned his medical trip to the United States much before the floods. Netizens questioned why Vijayan was heading to the US instead of trusting doctors in Kerala. The question now is who will provide adequate treatment for those suffering from water-borne diseases like Leptospirosis.

There are allegations that Vijayan has handled over power to EP Jayarajan unofficially because he has spoken to the media about how the ministers will coordinate and take decisions in the chief minister's absence. 

When EP Jayarajan set foot again into the party after the nepotism case, many people criticised his return. Jayarajan had to resign on 14 October, 2016 when he appointed two of his close relatives to top State public sector enterprises. Jayarajan had earlier approached the high court against the FIR claiming he had done nothing wrong. 

EP Jayarajan told media that the chief minister’s absence would not lead to any stalemate in governance. He also said there would not be any difficulty in taking critical decisions. Everything would go as per schedule. Who would preside over the cabinet meeting in the absence of the chief minister would be known when the next one takes place. 

As donations to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund are flowing, the chief minister’s office said EP Jayarajan would be accepting them in the absence of Vijayan. EP Jayarajan also ensured that people who move to their house from relief camps will be given Rs 10000.  

Also read: Pinarayi Vijayan to make EP Jayarajan de facto CM amid objections