An unpleasant piece of news has emerged from the Vizhinjam International Seaport ahead of its inauguration on 2 May by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That is, Pinarayi Vijayan’s family members accompanied him during his visit to the port facilities to inspect the arrangements for the commissioning ceremony. He visited along with the Chairperson of the Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), state ministers, and high-ranking officials. His family members, including wife Kamala Vijayan, daughter Veena Vijayan, and grandson Ishan, were present when the VISL Chairperson briefed the arrangements.
The presence of the Chief Minister’s family members at such a highly official programme has stirred a hornet’s nest in the state. There are valid reasons for this. Veena is an accused in a case registered by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) in connection with serious economic offences. Ministers V.N. Vasavan and V. Sivankutty, and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran, also participated in the inspection and evaluation meeting.
The Chief Minister’s family members were seated in the front row when VISL Chairperson Divya S. Iyer IAS briefed the arrangements. Observers interpret this as the CM’s deliberate move to gradually elevate his family members into the CPM hierarchy and the ruling structure.
The development is seen as a blatant deviation from the styles of former CPM Chief Ministers EMS Namboodiripad, E.K. Nayanar, and V.S. Achuthanandan. It evokes memories of autocratic communist regimes such as North Korea. This has caused anxiety within the CPM itself—though no party member dares to speak out.
The Chief Minister visited the port facilities to assess the arrangements for the Prime Minister’s visit. His family members were reportedly present even in the operations room when high-ranking officials briefed the arrangements. The fact that the CM’s family members were allowed to participate in a meeting deliberating such serious matters has drawn criticism from right-thinking individuals. The area is of strategic significance, and the Prime Minister is a VIP visitor. Yet, an individual accused in an economic offence case gained entry—this is reportedly a serious security lapse. Veena was said to be seated in the front seat of the official vehicle.
Former Director General of Police Jacob Thomas IPS (Retd), who also served as Director of the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), shared an image on social media showing the CM’s family members participating in the official meeting, captioned: “Who is this young boss?” The former IPS officer highlighted the VIP family members in the picture using a red circle.
This matter is of particular importance, as the Prime Minister’s visit comes amid heightened tension following the Pahalgam killings and Bharat’s resolution to retaliate in kind.
P.V. Anvar, a former LDF (CPM) MLA, wrote on Facebook that the Kerala Government has been turned into a private limited company run by the Chief Minister, his daughter, and grandson. Anvar had been a strong and vocal supporter of Pinarayi Vijayan until last year. The CM, in turn, supported Anvar, who was frequently targeted by the BJP and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). However, last year, the Chief Minister fell out with his staunch follower, leading Anvar to resign from the Assembly.
