'Closer than it seems' despite transfer; Face-saving for Pinarayi government?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ADGP M R Ajith Kumar, who stirred the political cauldron of Kerala for the past few weeks, has been finally removed from his charge of law and order in the state. Intelligence ADGP Manoj Abraham will head law and order in the state. Meanwhile, Ajith Kumar will continue as the ADGP of the Armed Police Battalion.

Many consider this to be a face-saving act from the government ahead of the assembly session on Monday. The move will also help the government escape the wrath of the opposition. There will be a new appointment to the post of ADGP Intelligence, which was held by Manoj Abraham.

The Chief Minister took the final decision after marathon discussions since Sunday morning. The Chief Minister reached the Secretariat office late Sunday evening after completing the last round of negotiations and gave the directive to issue the order.

The cautious action is based on the report of DGP Sheikh Darvesh Sahib, which enumerates the lapses committed by ADGP Ajith Kumar. The Chief Minister examined in detail the report given by DGP to Home Secretary Biswanath Sinha. Consultations were held with the concerned parties. Legal aspects were also examined. The content and findings of the report were explained directly to the Chief Minister by the DGP.

The CM’s office issued the order in the usual manner not specifying the reason behind ADGP Ajith Kumar's transfer.

The DGP's report states instances of Ajith violating service rules. The DGP gave a 300-page report to the government rejecting Ajith's explanation for his meeting with the RSS leaders.

Rather than the meeting with the RSS leaders, it was the allegations of involvement in the Thrissur Pooram riots that prompted the CPI to turn against Ajith Kumar. The government also found it suitable to blame RSS meeting rather than focusing on the Thrissur pooram ruckus, a volatile topic that could backfire.

On September 4, opposition leader VD Satheesan released information about ADGP visiting RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale. Details also emerged about ADGP’s meeting with RSS senior leader Ram Madhav at Kovalam, aggravating the controversy. This also paved the way for Nilambur MLA Anvar to leave the left front.