Kerala ADGP’s meeting with RSS leader sparks controversy

The controversy surrounding IPS officer M.R. Ajith Kumar's alleged meeting with RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has intensified, with reports claiming that Kumar, who is seen as close to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, explained to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) that the visit was personal.

The explanation has drawn criticism from the opposition Congress and the ruling CPI, a key coalition partner in the LDF.

Media reports suggest that Kumar admitted to meeting the senior RSS leader in Thrissur last May. However, a source from the CMO indicated they lacked clear information about this explanation.

The issue gained traction after the Congress accused Ajith Kumar of acting as an intermediary between the Chief Minister and the RSS to influence the Thrissur Pooram festival for the BJP’s benefit during the Lok Sabha elections. These claims were strongly denied by the CPI(M), with state secretary M.V. Govindan dismissing the allegations as baseless.

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam voiced concerns about the ADGP's meeting with the RSS, questioning the purpose and significance of the encounter. He argued that the visit could sow doubts among the public, noting that the LDF and RSS have no shared ideology or political interests.

Congress leader K. Muraleedharan also criticized the ADGP’s explanation, questioning why an officer under the Chief Minister's authority would meet with a high-ranking RSS leader without informing the CM or DGP. He further reiterated his allegations linking the meeting to the Thrissur Pooram incident and called for a judicial investigation into the matter.

While CPI(M) leaders have distanced themselves from the controversy, maintaining that the ADGP's actions are unrelated to the party, the debate over the meeting continues to stir political tensions in Kerala.