CPI(M), Kerala government parry LDF legislator P.V. Anvar’s accusations against CM’s office, family

Kerala's LDF government faces accusations of corruption and nepotism from disaffected legislator, sparking political turmoil in the state.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala and the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Friday (September 27, 2024) sought to parry disaffected LDF Independent legislator P.V. Anvar’s repeated attempts to indict Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Office (CMO) and the State’s top law enforcement on charges of criminality, corruption, nepotism and illegal amassment of wealth. 

Mr. Vijayan, who is in New Delhi to attend the party’s Political Bureau meeting, rejected Mr. Anvar’s accusations. He accused Mr. Anvar of becoming “a mouthpiece” for anti-Left forces to defame the CPI(M) and government. 

Mr. Vijayan noted that Mr. Anvar had suo motu announced the latter’s exit from the CPI(M)’s parliamentary party in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. 

Nevertheless, Mr. Vijayan said the ongoing high-level probe into Mr. Anvar’s written complaints against the top law enforcement would continue as ordered. “Mr. Anvar’s political shift won’t affect the ongoing probe”, Mr. Vijayan said. 

The Chief Minister said Mr. Anvar’s tirade against him warranted a detailed reply. “I will address the issues Mr. Anvar raised in a thorough press conference later. I know you (journalists) have many questions to ask”, Mr. Vijayan said. 

Mr. Anvar had sought to put Mr. Vijayan on the defensive by accusing the latter of shielding the latter’s political secretary P. Sasi and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, M.R. Ajith Kumar. 

Mr. Anvar had accused Mr. Ajith Kumar of aiding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by disrupting Thrissur Pooram to stoke Hindu resentment during the campaign phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.