Thiruvananthapuram: Rift in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is out in the open as PV Anvar, MLA, who belongs to CPM Legislative Party of Kerala Assembly, has been attacking MR Ajit Kumar, Additional Director General Police (Law & Order), P Sasi, CPM leader, chief minister’s Political Secretary and also his blue-eyed boy.
Later on, he met the chief minister and MV Govindan, CPM state secretary. But, even though he gave an impression of mellowing the stand, after a few days he bounced back with sharp attacks against Sasi and Ajithkumar. By that time he got the support of KT Jaleel, former CPM minister and Karat Razak, former CPM MLA and Pathanamthitta Police Chief Sujitdas. Razak went to the extent of stating that Sasi’s actions are motivated by craze for money. The issue gave a rude shock to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan the CPM party and government apparatuses.
Now, after a few days, PV Anvar, the erstwhile Man Friday of the CM, has trained his guns against his set targets. He told the media on September 21 that P Sasi has got a particular agenda. He controls the home ministry (even though Pinarayi Vijayan is presiding the home ministry). He has pushed the Left Democratic Front (LDF) into deep crisis. He stands between the chief minister and the party men, Anvar alleged.
Anvar claimed that he does have the evidence of money laundering done by ADGP M.R. Ajitkumar. He said, Ajitkumar sabotaged the solar case. It should be recalled that Solar Scam shook Chief Minister Oommen Chandy-led (Congress-controlled) United Democratic Front government which ruled Kerala from 2011 – 2016 which lost to CPM-led Left Democratic Front in 2016 assembly elections; Ajitkumar got the quid pro quo in the form of a luxury flat in Thiruvnanthapuram. Apart from a mansion-like house which is under construction and is worth crores after crores, Ajithkumar is having three other houses in the capital city, Anvar alleged.
Until now, Anvar has been attacking Ajitumar and P Sasi. But, his press conference of September 21 targeted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. It a clever and diplomatic move against the CM. He alleged that all malpractices are implemented after misguiding the chief minister. He said that, Pinarayi Vijayan has been misguided by Ajitkumar and Sasi. He further alleged that CM has been reading what Ajitkumar drafts. He alleges that Ajitumar and Sasi takes decisions on behalf of the CM and make him do it. Anvar’s statement that both had pushed the CM into deep crisis is a direct allegation against Pianrayi.
But, Chief Mnister Pinarayi Vijayan addressed a press conference, the same day, after Anvar shot his renewed allegations. He defended ADGP M.R. Ajitkumar as well as his Political Secretary P. Sasi. He stated that Anvar does not have communist background as he came to CPM fold from Congress. He warned that if Anvar continues his public statements, he would have to answer them. Anvar, as a Left MLA, should have drawn the attention of the CM or the party if he had to raise any complaint. He (CM) tried to contact Anvar immediately after his press conference. Even though CM’s office called him, there was no answer. Then he tried through some other means, but in vain. Again tried on the second and the third days. But, on the third day, he addressed another press conference. He met him (the CM) only afterwards. The meeting lasted for five minutes. CM said that he should not have snooped the phones and propagated the same as he is a public worker, being an MLA.
CM asserted that P Sasi has not committed any mistake. There is no need of any investigation in this regard; whoever raises any challenge, it will be rejected with the contempt it deserves. He said, action cannot be taken against Sasi simply because somebody raises an allegation or two. Action can be taken against Ajitkkumar only when it is proved that there are flaws in his official duties.
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But, Anvar addressed the media, the same day, after the CM’s press conference. This time he opposed CM’s arguments hammer and tongs. He countered CM’s allegation about his (Anvar’s) Congress past stating that E.M. Sankaran Namboothirippad, the ideologue of Bharatiya Marxists and first CM of the state, was a Congress leader in the past. His statement is said to be a trick to influence the comrades in the party. He told the media that he is not afraid of death and he does not know how long he would live. It is considered to be an indirect attack against the CM. He called on the smugglers to give evidence to the police against certain offices. He said that he would continue in the party until he is kicked off. When he says that he will leave the party if he had no other option, it was a clear warning to CM Pinarayi Vijayan that he is not ready to step back.
Anvar’s strident stand has sent shock waves across CPM and the ruling LDF it leads. It is clear that Anvar is not alone in LDF; he has sympathisers in Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) also. There are CPM workers who believe that Anvar’s allegations should be addressed seriously. CPI, the second largest LDF constituent after CPM, has publicly expressed their dissatisfaction about ADGP Ajitkumar’s performances. Now, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has come out with support to Anvar. They have started to extend Olive branch to Anvar. Coming days, weeks and months will say what is in store. But fact remains, first time in the history of the communist movement in Kerala, a ruling party MLA challenges the party brass.
