BJP: CPI-M still controls Kerala Home Dept despite Congress takeover
Synopsis
Despite a change of government in Kerala, the BJP alleges that CPI-M's grip on the Home Department has not loosened — pointing to accused persons in an ED attack case celebrating Onam inside a Thiruvananthapuram police station as proof. The incident puts newly appointed Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala under immediate pressure to act.
Key Takeaways
BJP State General Secretary Anoop Antony alleged on 23 August that the Kerala Home Department remains under CPI-M influence despite a change of government.
Accused persons in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) attack case, including CPI-M leader I.P.
Binu , reportedly attended Onam celebrations inside the Museum Police Station , Thiruvananthapuram.
Antony alleged the Station House Officer (SHO) personally bought festive gifts, including traditional clothing, for the accused.
The BJP demanded a comprehensive inquiry and removal of officers responsible for allowing the celebration.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala was held directly accountable by the BJP if no corrective action is taken.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State General Secretary Anoop Antony on Saturday, 23 August alleged that the Kerala Home Department remains effectively under the grip of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) and its affiliated elements within the police force, even after Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala assumed charge as the state's Home Minister following the change of government.
The Onam Incident at Museum Police Station
Antony cited a specific incident as evidence for his charge: accused persons in a case involving an attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials were reportedly allowed to participate in Onam celebrations held inside the Museum Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram. Among those who attended the festivities, according to Antony, was CPI-M leader I.P. Binu, who is named as an accused in the said case.
'The fact that the doors of a police station are being opened to people accused in criminal cases is extremely serious,' Antony said, calling the episode a direct challenge to the people of Kerala.
Allegations Against Station Officers
The BJP leader further alleged that the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Museum Police Station had personally purchased Onam gifts — including traditional festive clothing — for individuals facing criminal charges. He also claimed the celebration took place with the knowledge of members of the Police Officers' Union.
'If the Home Minister has a backbone, he should have the courage to remove from service the officers who opened the doors of the police station to criminals,' Antony said, demanding that police stations not be permitted to function as venues for gatherings by CPI-M leaders or criminal groups.
BJP's Demand for Accountability
Antony called for a comprehensive inquiry into the Museum Police Station incident and urged that strict disciplinary action be taken against the officers responsible. He held Home Minister Chennithala directly accountable for any failure to act.
'If there is no change in the functioning of the Home Department even after the change in government, the responsibility rests with the Home Minister,' he said. He also urged Chennithala to uphold the rule of law without yielding to CPI-M-sympathising elements within the police force.
Context and Political Background
The allegations come amid a broader political transition in Kerala, where a Congress-led government replaced the CPI-M administration. Critics from the BJP have argued that institutional loyalties within the state police have not shifted in tandem with the electoral outcome. This is not the first time the BJP has raised concerns about political interference in Kerala's law enforcement apparatus — the party has made similar allegations during previous government transitions in the state. The ED attack case, which forms the backdrop of the Onam controversy, adds a layer of federal agency involvement that makes the incident particularly sensitive.
As political pressure mounts, all eyes are now on whether Home Minister Chennithala will initiate a formal inquiry or take administrative action against the officers named in the allegations.
Point of View
Or absence of one, will set the tone for whether this administration can credibly claim control of law enforcement. The BJP, meanwhile, is shrewdly using a single incident to frame a larger narrative of governance failure — one that could resonate with voters if similar episodes accumulate.
NationPress
23 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BJP's allegation against the Kerala Home Department?
The BJP has alleged that the Kerala Home Department continues to function under CPI-M influence despite a Congress-led government taking charge. State BJP General Secretary Anoop Antony cited the Onam celebration held for accused persons inside the Museum Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram as the latest evidence of this alleged control.
What happened at the Museum Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram?
Accused persons in a case involving an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials, including CPI-M leader I.P. Binu, reportedly participated in Onam celebrations held inside the Museum Police Station. The BJP alleged that the Station House Officer personally arranged festive gifts, including traditional clothing, for the accused.
Who is Ramesh Chennithala and why is he under scrutiny?
Ramesh Chennithala is a Congress leader who took charge as Kerala's Home Minister after the change of government in the state. The BJP has held him directly accountable for the alleged CPI-M influence in the Home Department, demanding he take action against the officers involved in the police station Onam incident.
What action has the BJP demanded over this incident?
The BJP has demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the Museum Police Station Onam celebration and strict disciplinary action, including removal from service, of the officers who allowed accused persons to participate. Anoop Antony also urged the Home Minister to ensure the rule of law without yielding to CPI-M-aligned elements in the police force.
Who is I.P. Binu and what is the ED attack case?
I.P. Binu is identified as a CPI-M leader who is reportedly among the accused in a case involving an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials. He was allegedly among those who attended the Onam celebrations at the Museum Police Station, which the BJP has flagged as a serious lapse in law enforcement conduct.
