The Pinarayi Vijayan government has relieved ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar of his Law-and-Order responsibilities, replacing him with ADGP Manoj Abraham. This decision came 36 days after P.V. Anwar, MLA, levelled a series of allegations against Ajith Kumar.
Yesterday, DGP S. Darvesh Sahib submitted a detailed report to the Home Department secretary, addressing the multiple accusations against Ajith Kumar. Following a review of the report today, Chief Minister Vijayan took action.
Anwar had publicly branded Ajith Kumar—considered a close confidante of Vijayan—as a "notorious criminal" and accused him of involvement in various crimes, including murder. Ajith Kumar’s confirmed meeting with RSS leaders also put the government in a spot. CPI(M)’s allies, particularly the CPI, had called for his removal from the Law-and-Order post.
When the Chief Minister arrived at the Secretariat this evening—a rare occurrence on a Sunday—it signalled that a decision was imminent. He spent nearly an hour there before the announcement was made.
CPI state secretary welcomed the move, describing it as a victory "not just for the CPI but for the LDF as a whole". CPI(M) leaders also tried to project that the CM took the appropriate step by waiting for the report before taking the "right action".
However, the statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) describes Ajith Kumar’s reassignment as merely a working arrangement, with him now overseeing the armed battalion.
Despite the DGP’s report, there is no indication of any suspension so far. This soft approach is expected to face scrutiny both within the assembly and beyond. Furthermore, doubts remain about whether the delayed action can effectively mitigate the damage the controversy has inflicted on the state government.