In an unprecedented escalation, MLA Anvar delivered a scathing critique of Kerala CM Vijayan and asked that he relinquish Home portfolio.
Published Sep 27, 2024 | 6:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 27, 2024 | 2:52 PM
Kerala CM Vijayan and MLA Anvar
In an unprecedented escalation of intra-party tensions in Kerala, independent Left MLA PV Anvar delivered a scathing critique of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing him of sacrificing the party for family interests and favouritism. He also wanted the chief minister to relinquish the Home portfolio.
The MLA announced that he would not attend the LDF parliamentary party meeting and would demand a separate block at the Legislative Assembly, a clear signal of his growing discontent with the party’s leadership and wanting to sever ties with the CPI(M). Yet, he reaffirmed that he had no intention of resigning from his MLA position.
Anvar’s explosive claims have sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape, effectively doing what the Opposition has failed to achieve in the last eight years—casting serious doubt on Vijayan’s leadership and integrity.
During a fiery two-hour press conference, Anvar did not hold back his criticism of Vijayan, suggesting that he could be the last chief minister in CPI(M)’s history.
Anvar questioned Vijayan’s competence, particularly his handling of the Home portfolio, and accused him of either being unaware of or deliberately ignoring the alleged connections that CPI(M) leader Sasi and Law and Order AGP Ajith Kumar had with the gold smuggling mafia.
“The Chief Minister is unfit to hold the Home portfolio. If he was unaware of Sasi and Ajith Kumar’s connections to the gold smuggling mafia, it’s a grave failure. If he knew and did nothing, it’s even worse,” Anvar charged.
Anvar didn’t stop there; he also took aim at Sasi and Ajith Kumar directly. “I’ve spoken to many party workers, and they don’t have a good opinion of Sasi. But the CM claims he’s doing exemplary work. Besides, why is the CM protecting a notorious criminal like Ajith Kumar? Does the CM believe that only Riyaz (Tourism Minister PA Mohammad Riyaz, CM’s son-in-law) is essential to the party’s future?” Anvar questioned, casting doubt on the CM’s motivations.
He also alleged that it was because of the chief minister’s planned family trip to Europe that former CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s mortal remains were not brought to the AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, which distressed scores of party workers.
Adding to the controversy, Anvar linked the disruption of Thrissur Pooram—a key cultural event in the state—to a broader political conspiracy, suggesting that those seeking favours from the Union government may have orchestrated the plot. He hinted that this disruption had bolstered the BJP-RSS in Thrissur during the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, indirectly accusing the chief minister of aiding the BJP’s electoral gains.
In a bold move, Anvar challenged the chief minister’s integrity by demanding a reinvestigation into the gold smuggling cases registered at Karipur. “The CM read what ADGP Ajith Kumar IPS had written in the press conference. Is the CM confident enough to order a reinvestigation?” he asked, pointing fingers at the involvement of senior officials in the scandal, including P Sasi, the Chief Minister’s political secretary, and ADGP Ajith Kumar and thereby casting a shadow over the CM’s commitment to transparency.
Anvar’s allegations come on the heels of a press conference by the chief minister on 20 September, where Vijayan allegedly insinuated that Anvar had connections with the gold smuggling mafia. This insinuation, according to Anvar, was a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation.
“The CM’s press meet cast me in the light of suspicion, implying my involvement with the smuggling mafia. I expected the CPI(M) to correct the CM’s statement, but no action was taken,” Anvar stated, expressing deep frustration over the party’s inaction. He also added that the party as well as the chief minister had betrayed him.
Meanwhile, the Opposition, mainly KPCC president K Sudhakaran, levreaged on the opportunity after Anvar’s claims, calling for a judicial inquiry into the alleged connections between the disrupted Thrissur Pooram and gold smuggling, as well as the chief minister’s purported role in aiding the BJP’s political foothold in the state.
At the same time, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan told the reporters in New Delhi that the party would take an appropriate stance against Anvar.
“Anvar continued to help those forces who want to tarnish the left government. Appropriate action will be taken against his anti-party, anti-government allegations,” said Govindan.
As the Kerala Assembly session approaches, set to commence on 4 October, all eyes are on Anvar who has called for a public meeting in Nilambur on Sunday, 29 September where he is expected to outline his next move. Anvar’s relentless ‘pursuit of truth’ has, in just a few weeks, achieved what the Opposition has been striving for years: to bring Pinarayi Vijayan, once a seemingly invincible leader, under the shadow of grave allegations.
(Edited by Neena)
