The recent appointment of Benny Thomas, brother-in-law of Sunny Joseph, Kerala's Electricity and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, as Additional Private Secretary has ignited a political controversy. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called for clarification from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that the appointment exemplifies nepotism and undermines transparency in governance. Thomas, a district-level Congress functionary from Ulikkal, was one of the first 13 appointments made to the Minister's personal staff, which also includes Youth Congress leader Sudeep James. CPI(M) district secretary K.K. Ragesh criticized the Minister for turning governance into a family affair and urged the Congress party to clarify its position on the matter. In defense, Sunny Joseph highlighted Thomas's decades of political experience, asserting that there are no rules against hiring relatives for personal staff roles. He described Thomas as a capable political worker, emphasizing that the appointment was based on merit rather than familial ties. This controversy has reignited discussions about political appointments in Kerala, particularly in light of past criticisms from the Congress regarding similar situations under previous administrations.