Tensions are rising in Kerala as Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb and Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan have declined to meet with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. They received an invitation to discuss Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan‘s recent comments on gold smuggling in the Malappuram district.
In a letter to the Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister Vijayan asserted that summoning officials without notifying the elected government exceeds the constitutional powers of the governor. Consequently, the Governor instructed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to provide direct explanations.
Specifically, the meeting aimed to address allegations of gold smuggling linked to anti-state and anti-national activities, as well as phone-tapping claims made by MLA PV Anwar. The Governor scheduled this meeting for Tuesday at 4 PM after previous requests for reports on these matters went unanswered.
The controversy began on September 30 when a media report included comments that allegedly came from Chief Minister Vijayan regarding gold smuggling in Malappuram. Following this, the Chief Minister’s office clarified that these quotes had been inaccurately attributed to him. This misattribution, therefore, fueled ongoing tensions and debate in the state.
On Friday, M. V. Govindan, state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), addressed the media and accused them of spreading “false narratives.” He stated, “The publication itself expressed regret, and the matter should have been resolved at that point.” However, he pointed out that a narrative emerged suggesting the government employs a PR agency. He emphasized that the government does not have such a PR system in place.
Despite the Chief Minister’s clarification, certain media outlets continue to cast doubt. Moreover, Govindan remarked, “Even the Chief Minister’s smile is scrutinized; regardless of whether he smiles or not, he faces criticism.”
Furthermore, Govindan highlighted the seriousness of the gold smuggling issue, describing it as a law and order problem. He noted that the Customs department, under the Central Government, plays a crucial role in facilitating gold smuggling at Karipur airport.
He asserted, “The situation has escalated to the point where the police can no longer remain uninvolved.” With five deaths linked to smuggling activities at Karipur, he emphasized that the police intervened. Additionally, he dismissed PV Anwar MLA’s opposition as a baseless campaign.
In stark contrast, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) criticized Chief Minister Vijayan. They argued that he has portrayed the Malappuram district, which has a majority Muslim community, in a negative light.
The ongoing debate reflects broader issues surrounding accountability and media representation. Ultimately, the complexities of state politics continue to shape the narrative in this contentious environment.
Kolkata: On Friday, January 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members demonstrated against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her actions after the ED raids at the I-PAC office and its chief Pratik Jain's home. | In relation to an alleged coal smuggling case that stretches back a few years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and Pratik Jain's home on Loudon Street in Kolkata on Thursday, January 8, 2025. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a protest against the ED raids on I-PAC after the raid set off a political storm in the state. Why is a chief minister endorsing Pratik Jain, and who is he? Pratik Jain, a political strategist and co-founder of I-PAC, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. He is credited with helping I-PAC grow into one of the most significant political consulting organizations in India. I-PAC was established in 2015 and offers services like data-driven campaign management, support for governance, and voter outreach initiatives. It has collaborated with a number of Indian political groups throughout the years, notably West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC). I-PAC reportedly collaborates closely with Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and his office. The company oversees the IT and media division of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and is in charge of creating its election campaigns. Mr. Jain was in charge of the Trinamool Congress's IT cell, according to Ms. Banerjee. According to his LinkedIn page, Jain, an engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, started his career as an analyst at the consulting firm Deloitte. He was one of the first members of Citizens of Accountable Governance, which later evolved into I-PAC. Arvind Kejriwal, M.K. Stalin, Jaganmohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, and Nitish Kumar are just a few of the prominent figures with whom the political consultancy firm has collaborated.…
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