EXCLUSIVE: ‘I feel no fear,’ P. Sasi, the controversial political secretary to Pinarayi Vijayan, tells THE WEEK

Thirunavaya in Malappuram district was once known for Mamankam, the medieval festival celebrated every 12 years. The festival had been notorious for its violent confrontations, during which Valluvanadan rulers sent chavers—trained assassins on a suicide mission—to eliminate the Zamorins, rulers of the kingdom of Kozhikode. In 2005, Thirunavaya hosted the CPI(M)'s Kerala state conference, which witnessed intense political strife that mirrored the site's bloody history. The factional feud between opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan and party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan was at its peak. P. Sasi, a Kannur leader aligned with Vijayan, was one of the many targets of Achuthanandan back then. Sasi's tenure as political secretary to former Chief Minister E.K. Nayanar from 1996 to 2001 came under intense scrutiny, with allegations accusing him of aiding those involved in various scandals. Sasi survived, bolstered by Vijayan's support. Vijayan publicly defended Sasi, asserting that the allegations were driven by pre-determined motives and that decisions made by the party leadership as a whole should not be attributed to any one individual.

Sasi later became Kannur district secretary of the CPI(M). In 2011, the Achuthanandan faction succeeded in having him expelled from the party's primary membership following allegations of sexual misconduct made by a female DYFI leader. Sasi, however, remained close to the party, and after Vijayan came to power in 2016, the police filed a report in a local court declaring that the allegations against Sasi were baseless. The court dismissed the charges, leading to his re-entry into the party. In the 2022 party congress, Sasi was elevated to the CPI(M) state committee and later appointed as Vijayan's political secretary. Now, as the party prepares for its 2025 state conference, Sasi is once again facing new allegations—once again from the left front itself. However, doubts remain about whether Vijayan will defend him this time, as political observers sense a change in circumstances.

Sasi came under fire after P.V. Anwar, a CPI(M)-backed independent MLA from Malappuram district, accused him and additional director general of police (law and order) M.R. Ajith Kumar—who had been considered a close confidant of Vijayan—of betraying the trust placed in them by the government. Anwar labelled Ajith Kumar a notorious criminal with alleged connections to gold smuggling networks, accusing him of amassing illicit wealth and operating with impunity because of his ties with Sasi. 

Political observer N.P. Chekkutti said Vijayan made a strategic mistake by choosing Sasi for his political secretary’s post. “Sasi is an extremely assertive person. If Vijayan expected him to remain in his shadow, he was mistaken. Sasi has developed deep roots within the establishment and administration. Thus, the allegation that he may not have communicated everything to the chief minister could, indeed, be true.”

Sources also suggest an internal feud within the police force as there is criticism that Ajith Kumar has been acting like a “Super DGP”. Anwar said Ajith Kumar was involved in wiretapping conversations of ministers, political leaders and journalists, and failed to address a corruption complaint against opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan. He also alleged that the police, under Ajith Kumar's directions, intentionally mishandled the Thrissur Pooram festival to create a condition favourable to the BJP's political interests leading to the  Lok Sabha election victory of actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi.

Vijayan has announced a high-level probe into the allegations, although no steps have been taken against Sasi or Ajith Kumar so far.

Political observers find the developments puzzling because, although Anwar is not a party member, he has been considered Vijayan’s “blue-eyed boy”. Anwar, who came to the left front from the Congress, has consistently demonstrated his loyalty to Vijayan and has been a major defender of the government in cyberspace. Notably, despite raising serious allegations against the police and the political secretary, Anwar has not blamed Vijayan, who handles the home department.

Nevertheless, there are doubts regarding who is the force behind Anwar. “Though Anwar is an adventurist and he may have his grievances, he did not need a drastic step like this,” says political analyst A. Jayashankar, who also likens Anwar to a chaver. 

Notably, Anwar made these allegations at the same time E.P. Jayarajan—former minister and a leading CPI(M) figure from Kannur—was removed from the LDF convener post. While Jayarajan is dissatisfied with the party leadership, most political observers dismiss the idea that Anwar is acting on his behalf. However, there is still suspicion about the Kannur lobby in CPI(M) that the allegations against Sasi could be an attempt to thwart his potential bid for a seat from Kannur in the 2026 assembly elections.

Chekutti notes that there had been a situation where only those favoured by Sasi get things done, while those who are not are sidelined. “This has led to internal issues within the party. In the past, when such problems arose, solutions typically came from the collective leadership of experienced leaders. However, now [ever since Pinarayi 2.0], seasoned strategists within the party have been sidelined or have become ineffective.” 

Notably, two prominent figures who have openly supported Anwar are left-independent MLA K.T. Jaleel and former left-independent MLA Karat Razack. They have directed their allegations towards Sasi and the administrative officials. State tourism minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, the chief minister’s son-in-law, also responded to the developments, stating, “Uppu thinnavar vellam kudikkanam” (those who have sinned must face the consequences).

Political observer N.M. Pearson notes there must have been a discussion among the “Muslim lobby” within the left fold before the recent developments. However, Pearson points out that Anwar might have had a prior conversation with CM himself before raising the allegations against CM’s political secretary. 

“Pinarayi Vijayan is a leader who places trust in certain individuals. However, if he loses that trust, he will simply abandon them,” he says, citing the example of former principal secretary to Vijayan, M. Sivasankar, who was arrested in a money laundering probe. Chekutti also points out the existence of the theory that Vijayan himself has a role in the moves against Sasi—that are pointed as if a move against Vijayan. 

“It appears there are suggestions that the CM has lost faith in Sasi. Sasi, being a powerful figure, might have had his agenda. There are questions about what information he collected using the police, what was disclosed to the CM, and what was kept secret. I believe the CM harbours doubts about this," he says.

Some observers suspect that a faction within the CPI(M) is trying to establish itself as the new power group and is working to block any attempts by the CM to place Muhammad Riyas at the helm. They believe that the allegations against Sasi—and indirectly against the CM—coming just before the party’s statewide branch conferences are intended as a message to party members. There are also suggestions that party state secretary M.V. Govindan, who has previously been seen as weak, may have given blessings for these developments.

Nonetheless, Anwar propels the narrative that "only God is behind" him. The outspoken MLA adopted a more subdued tone after meeting the chief minister on Tuesday, stating that he was simply doing his duty as a “comrade” and that the party and the CM had to decide any further action on his complaints. When asked about his fellow comrade Sasi, he chose to remain silent.

Meanwhile, P. Sasi remains calm and composed despite the serious allegations against him. In a phone conversation with THE WEEK, he stated: “People are free to say whatever they want; they have that right. I do not have an authoritarian attitude. I hold no grudges and feel no fear. This is not new to me. Since becoming SFI state secretary in 1980, I have faced attacks. Yet, I have come this far. That is enough.”