CAPTAIN'S CRISIS

PV. Anvar’s revolt has hurt Pinarayi Vijayan’s image as a bulwark against hindutva and the RSS

- NIRMAL IOVIAL

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