LDF legislator Anvar meets Kerala CM days after putting govt in a spot with charges against ADGP, political secretary

Kerala’s LDF legislator P V Anvar accuses top police officer of corruption, sparking political turmoil and demands for investigations from opposition parties.

Left Democratic Front (LDF) independent legislator P.V. Anvar met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in person at the government Secretariat on Tuesday (September 3, 2024) days after he put the administration in a spot by airing bombshell accusations of corruption, criminality, illegal amassment of wealth and nepotism against Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, M.R. Ajith Kumar.

Mr. Anvar told reporters waiting outside the Secretariat gates that he would speak to them at the MLA Hostel later.

Notably, Mr. Anvar had also blamed Mr. Vijayan’s political secretary and CPI(M) State committee member P. Sasi for giving Mr. Kumar “free rein” over the police by repeatedly ignoring the red flags and cautionary reports that should have warned the government about the top-ranking officer’s “questionable conduct.” Mr. Anvar accused Mr. Sasi of failing Mr. Vijayan.

Meanwhile, Mr. Anvar found some support in the CPI(M). In a Facebook post, party’s legislator U. Prathibha expressed her solidarity with Mr. Anvar. She cautioned Mr. Anvar that the latter was taking on a “powerful group”. In Kannur, LDF convenor T.P. Ramakrishnan said the party and the government would also examine the accusations raised by Mr. Anvar against Mr. Sasi.

Mr. Anvar had indicated that he would submit his litany of charges against Mr. Kumar in writing to Mr. Vijayan. He claimed he had evidence against Mr. Kumar. 

Mr. Anwar, who likened Mr. Kumar to underworld kingpin Dawood Ibrahim, claimed he had risked his life ferreting incriminating information about the ranking officer to shield Mr. Vijayan politically. 

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala and BJP State president K. Surendran termed the government’s investigation into Mr. Anvar’s accusations “a sham.”