Kerala Government Transfers ADGP M R Ajithkumar from Law and Order Duties Amid Political Scrutiny

The Kerala government has reassigned ADGP M R Ajithkumar from his law and order duties following criticism from both the Opposition Congress and the ruling LDF partner CPI over his interactions with RSS leaders. Ajithkumar will now serve in the Armed Police Battalion, while Intelligence ADGP Manoj Abraham takes over as the new ADGP for law and order.

Government Decision and Reactions

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made this decision after reviewing reports concerning Ajithkumar, submitted by the State Police Chief and a special team led by the DGP. The Chief Minister's Office announced this through a brief press note. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam praised the decision, calling it timely and appropriate, aligning with the Communist Party's demand.

The Congress party criticised the government's action, describing it as an attempt to dodge opposition scrutiny ahead of the assembly session. KPCC Chief K Sudhakaran suggested that the move indicates reluctance to dismiss Ajithkumar, who allegedly met RSS leaders on behalf of the Chief Minister. Sudhakaran believes this decision aims to maintain ties between the Chief Minister and RSS leadership.

Opposition's Stance and Allegations

Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, V D Satheesan, stated that this issue will be brought up in the Kerala Assembly on Monday. Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister V Muraleedharan criticised Vijayan's handling of Ajithkumar's transfer. He accused Ajithkumar of phone tapping, custodial murder, disrupting Thrissur Pooram, and accumulating unauthorised wealth.

Muraleedharan argued that the Chief Minister lacks the courage to take decisive action against Ajithkumar, opting instead for a minor administrative change after five weeks of controversy. Ajithkumar faced criticism from both opposition parties and CPI for meeting senior RSS leaders last year and his alleged involvement in disrupting Thrissur Pooram.

Congress alleged that police disrupted the pooram festival to aid BJP in winning the Lok Sabha seat from central Kerala. This accusation adds to the ongoing political tensions surrounding Ajithkumar's actions and their implications for state politics.

The situation reflects ongoing political dynamics in Kerala, with various parties reacting differently to government decisions. The transfer of Ajithkumar highlights underlying tensions between political alliances and opposition forces within the state.