What Led to Fissures in CPI(M) Over the Appointment of Ravada Chandrasekhar as the New SPC?

Thiruvananthapuram, June 30 (NationPress) Following the announcement from the Pinarayi Vijayan administration regarding the appointment of Ravada Chandrasekhar as the new State Police Chief (SPC), senior CPI(M) official P. Jayarajan, known for his enigmatic comments, expressed that it is the government's responsibility to clarify the rationale behind selecting Ravada.

Jayarajan's statement surfaced amidst the backdrop of Ravada Chandrasekhar's controversial past in the police force.

In 1994, during his tenure in Kannur, he orchestrated a police operation at Kuthuparambu aimed at dispersing a protest led by the DYFI, the youth faction of the CPI(M).

This operation tragically resulted in the deaths of five DYFI activists who were protesting against then-state Minister, M.V. Raghavan.

The incident significantly influenced Kerala’s political landscape, particularly due to Raghavan's tumultuous history with the CPI(M).

Raghavan, once a key CPI(M) figure and mentor to current Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was ousted from the party in 1985 after he attempted to establish connections with the Indian Union Muslim League and the Kerala Congress.

He later founded his own political party and allied with the Congress-led UDF.

Since that time, the CPI(M) has frequently referenced the Kuthuparambu firing to energize its base and criticize the Congress, particularly targeting the K. Karunakaran-led government that was in power during the incident.

In media interactions, Jayarajan, a former legislator held in high regard in Kannur, indicated that the state government's decision was based on the documents available to them.

“Among the three names presented, the state government had to select, two—Ravada and Nitin Agarwal—were involved in a brutal incident against CPI(M) workers while serving in Thalassery,” Jayarajan asserted.

“The government chooses based on merit,” he noted, hinting at possible discontent within the party regarding this appointment.

Interestingly, the list provided to CM Vijayan also included a third name, Yogesh Gupta.

When asked about Gupta's omission, Jayarajan cryptically replied, “Go ask the government.”

Popular critic hailing from Kannur, Umesh Babu, remarked that the CPI(M) often alters its stance on various issues.

“Recently, Jayarajan has taken several jabs, all while remaining within the bounds of party discipline. Yogesh Gupta has maintained an impeccable record in combating corruption, yet the CPI(M) seems intent on undermining him, while shifting positions on the other two (Ravada and Agarwal),” Babu noted.

Leader of Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, remarked that the CPI(M) should apologize, as the public is well aware of how they incite emotions over the Kuthuparambu incident.

Meanwhile, during an online cabinet meeting, when the Chief Secretary presented the three candidates, CM Vijayan remarked after evaluating their credentials, “Of the three, Ravada is the most suitable,” leading to his swift approval by the Cabinet.

CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan adopted a more diplomatic approach, stating that while Ravada was present during the incident, a subsequent judicial inquiry had exonerated him.

The Cabinet also sanctioned the appointment of H. Venkatesh to take over as in-charge SPC from the retiring Shaikh Darvesh Saheb, as it appears Ravada will not assume office on Monday evening.