In a dramatic political development, Nilambur MLA P V Anwar has severed ties with the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, accusing the leadership of corruption and favoritism. During a press conference in Malappuram on Thursday, Anwar declared he would not attend the LDF legislature party meetings, defying the front’s gag order. He emphasized that his mandate as an MLA was granted by the people, and he would not relinquish his seat.
Anwar’s public fallout with the LDF comes ahead of a scheduled public meeting in Nilambur on Sunday, where he is expected to outline his future political course. He specifically accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of shielding Public Works Department Minister Muhammed Riyas, the chief minister’s son-in-law. Anwar alleged that this protection was undermining party discipline and governance for personal interests.
Further intensifying his accusations, Anwar claimed that the chief minister had knowledge of ongoing gold smuggling activities in the state, arguing that this awareness alone disqualified Vijayan from continuing to oversee the home department. “He has no right to retain the home portfolio,” Anwar stated bluntly.
Anwar also criticized the chief minister for ignoring his petitions against two top officials, Political Secretary P Sasi and ADGP (Law and Order) M R Ajith Kumar. The MLA had previously accused both men of corruption, but according to him, the chief minister failed to act on these serious allegations. Anwar expressed deep dissatisfaction with Vijayan’s handling of the complaints and accused the state’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau of dragging its feet by allotting six months to investigate Ajith Kumar.
Anwar didn't hold back in his critique of the party leadership, describing P Sasi as a “bandit” and questioning how he had accumulated such wealth, demanding a probe into Sasi and Ajith Kumar’s assets. He added that the ADGP should have been suspended immediately in light of the charges against him, but claimed the chief minister continued to offer protection.
He warned that Pinarayi Vijayan, who led the LDF to a historic victory in 2021, had now lost his political standing due to these actions. “His popularity has sunk to zero,” Anwar remarked, adding that unless corrective action is taken, Vijayan may well be the last CPM chief minister of Kerala.
Anwar also criticized senior CPM leaders, including state secretary M V Govindan, for their reluctance to confront wrongdoing within the party. He claimed the chief minister had become surrounded by a protective "coterie" that prevented transparency. “Ajith Kumar calls the CM ‘Uncle,’ and this shows how deeply the ties run,” he said, implying that personal relationships were influencing governance decisions.
As he prepares to address supporters on Sunday, Anwar’s departure signals a significant fracture within the LDF, with broader implications for Kerala’s political landscape as the ruling front faces mounting internal dissent.
