Reports suggest growing unrest within the CPM’s rank and file, as ordinary workers who have toiled for decades in poverty and hardship watch their leaders and their families grow increasingly wealthy. While cadres continue to live with the lowest standard of living, leaders’ children enjoy five-star lifestyles.
Senior CPM rebel Pirappankode Murali repeatedly highlighted this disparity in various meetings, but he was swiftly shown the door. Allegations now swirl around several top CPM leaders, ministers, and their families, many of whom are accused of becoming millionaires. Among them are State Secretary M.V. Govindan’s son Shyamjith, former minister Thomas Issac, current minister M.B. Rajesh, and former Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan.
The second Pinarayi regime began under the shadow of a gold smuggling scandal, and now finds itself mired in money laundering allegations. The Communists leaders are accused of creating shell companies, roping in foreigners as investors, and siphoning off huge sums. Meanwhile, ordinary party workers are subjected to strict scrutiny: even buying a vehicle or owning a house must be reported to the top leadership.
One frustrated party worker in Thiruvananthapuram even remarked that a top business tycoon enjoys access “up to the kitchen” of the CM Pinarayi Vijayan. The comment went unchallenged. By contrast, another worker in the same district reportedly lost his party post over allegations of taking money from a quarry owner. Yet, the son of a former CITU leader in that district enjoys VIP treatment.
There are further complaints that Communist party workers are losing free access to CPM offices, while wealthy businessmen are welcomed at any time. Cadres quietly murmur in sarcasm that leaders’ sons are “working hard” in five-star hotels, supposedly to “strengthen the party”.
Sons in the Spotlight
Observers point out that this pattern is hardly new. Former state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s sons were frequently caught in controversy, with his son Bineesh even facing jail terms. Kodiyeri eventually resigned as secretary, officially on health grounds, but was reinstated later.
Now, allegations surround the current state secretary’s son, Shyamjith. Organiser carried a detailed story linking him to money laundering operations alongside London-based Rajesh Krishna. Reports allege that Shyamjith controls businesses worth crores, engages in film production, real estate, and benami financing, and even influences government employee transfers and contract allotments. Normally, such favours would be handled by area or district secretaries, not the son of the state secretary.
Shyamjith is also accused of arranging funds from an NRI for film production, just as Govindan was being considered for the state secretary post. Observers claim the controversy was quelled only when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan personally intervened to pacify the NRIs. Many now believe the Polit Bureau is bending over backwards to shield Govindan.
Denials and Counter-Claims
State secretary M.V. Govindan has dismissed the allegations against his son as “nonsense”. He told the media he had no intention of responding to them — nor to the letter by Mohammed Shershad, which is now before the court.
However, Shershad insists he has “all necessary evidence” to prove his claims against Rajesh Krishna and Shyamjith. He has retained WhatsApp chats, emails, and text messages as proof. According to him, Rajesh first entered his family’s circle through Shyamjith. When disputes arose, Shershad sought Shyam’s help but was allegedly ignored — with Shyam instead under Rajesh’s control.
Shershad further revealed that once his letter became public, several CPM leaders contacted him. He claims that Rajesh Krishna maintains close ties with senior CPM leader P. Sasi and former minister Thomas Issac, and even manages financial matters for multiple leaders, a key reason behind his rapid rise.
