Indian mythology has the story of Bhasmasura, who was granted the power to turn anything he touches into ashes by Lord Shiva. As the story unfolds, Bhasmasura decides to test the boon on Shiva himself. Many observers draw parallels between this legend and the recent developments in Kerala politics, where Nilambur MLA P.V. Anvar, once a staunch supporter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has turned against him.
Anvar, who started his political career with the student wing of the Congress, later switched his allegiance to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front. In 2016, he was chosen as the left candidate from Nilambur in Malappuram district, despite opposition from a section of local CPI(M) leaders. Vijayan, who prioritised broader political strategy over local preferences, had backed Anvar, who won. In 2021, he won again, although he was away from his constituency for three consecutive months before elections on account of business commitments in Africa.
Anvar’s tryst with left politics has turned sour after his recent fallout with Vijayan. He started by raising serious allegations against the police, then went after Vijayan’s closest―political secretary P. Sasi and additional director general of police M.R. Ajith Kumar―and finally the chief minister himself. On September 26, Anvar launched a strong attack against Vijayan at a news conference, even asking him to give up the home portfolio. He alleged that Ajith Kumar, with the backing of the chief minister and his political secretary, had established a system to keep a portion of the gold confiscated by the police after busting smuggling operations. He also targeted Muhammad Riyas, who is a minister in the state cabinet and also Vijayan’s son-in-law. Anvar indirectly alleged that the chief minister’s efforts to protect his daughter Veena―who is being investigated by multiple Central agencies on money-laundering charges―contributed to the disruption of the pooram festival in Thrissur, helping the BJP win the Lok Sabha seat.
Political observers, meanwhile, point out that Anvar has no serious quarrel with the CPI(M), but only with Vijayan. “It has become a personal fight,” said political analyst N.M. Pearson. “I spoke to many party insiders. They are really indifferent towards the whole issue.” Vijayan, however, said Anvar was trying to tarnish the image of the Left Democratic Front and his government.
Vadakara MLA K.K. Rema of the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) said the CPI(M) appeared too soft on Anvar when compared with how her own cadre were treated by the party. The RMP was launched by Rema’s husband T.P. Chandrasekharan, a CPI(M) rebel. He was brutally murdered soon after he set up the new party. “There are similarities between the issues we raised [before leaving the CPI(M)] and those Anvar is bringing up now,” said Rema. “We spoke out against the saffronisation of the police, questioned the dubious financial dealings of party leaders and opposed Vijayan’s bourgeois party line. Anvar is now voicing similar concerns.”
Many observers believe the CPI(M) is adopting a cautious approach because of the leverage Anvar enjoys. Pearson said a shift in the party structure was another significant reason. “Blind loyalty to the leadership’s commands no longer exists. Moreover, many party members believe that there is some truth to Anvar’s allegations against Vijayan,” he said.
Anvar further showcased his strength with a large public meeting in Nilambur on September 29, attended by thousands, and he made a deliberate effort to connect with ordinary CPI(M) workers. He also alleged that there was a coordinated attempt to label him communal. While Anvar emphasises his secular credentials, political observers like M.N. Karassery suggest that his statements seem designed to elicit emotional responses from the Muslim community. “Anvar accused the Malappuram CPI(M) secretary of being aligned with the RSS. Did he realise that only now? This appears to be aimed at provoking emotional reactions,” said Karassery. He said while Anvar’s complaints against Sasi and Ajith Kumar were significant, his approach appeared misguided.
Anvar blamed Vijayan for collaborating with the RSS. He said the CPI(M) accepted the BJP/RSS line that the LDF’s flop show in the Lok Sabha polls was caused by the party’s perceived Muslim appeasement. “As a result, the CPI(M) decided to shift towards hindutva politics,” said Anvar.
A comment that appeared in a recent interview Vijayan gave to an English newspaper added further fuel to Anvar’s allegations. In the initial version of the interview, Vijayan was quoted as saying that 150kg of gold and hawala money worth 0123 crore have been seized by the police in the last five years from Malappuram district. He said it was being used for “anti-state” and “anti-national” activities. The interview led to a major controversy as Malappuram is a Muslim-majority district. Vijayan and his office disowned the statement and the newspaper clarified that the controversial portions were included following a request by the PR agency which facilitated the interview.
Karassery said the CPI(M)’s present predicament was the result of the party trying to adopt contradictory stands for political gains. During the Lok Sabha elections, one of its key campaign issues was opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which was an attempt to attract Muslim voters. “However, many Muslim voters, particularly in Malabar, did not support the LDF,” said Karassery. The Vijayan government has also been balancing its relationship with the RSS. “It appointed former director general of police Loknath Behera, who is said to be close to the RSS, as the head of Kochi Metro after his retirement. Additionally, it appears that Ajith Kumar met with the RSS leadership on behalf of the chief minister, not for the party or the LDF.”
Many believe that the entire episode has tarnished Vijayan’s image as a bulwark against hindutva and the RSS. However, some observers suggest that he is making a strategic move, perhaps even at the cost of his legacy. “He is vilifying Malappuram district to maintain the CPI(M)’s traditional base among the Hindu Ezhava community and to win it back,” said political observer A. Jayashankar.
As the CPI(M) prepares for its 24th party congress―the Kerala state conference will be held in February and the national party congress in April―Anvar’s allegations mark a significant moment: for the first time in eight years, a voice from within the left camp has openly criticised Vijayan. “There are conflicts within the party. Some leaders oppose Vijayan, but cannot confront him directly, so they’re positioning Anvar at the forefront,” said Rema. “However, it remains to be seen whether they will follow through, as they are also vying for power and position.”