What new Kerala DGP Ravada Chandrasekhar means for CPI(M), poll-bound Kerala
However, Ajithkumar's name did not feature in the shortlist of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Besides Chandrasekhar, the other two candidates were Nitin Agarwal, road safety commissioner of Kerala, and Yogesh Gupta, director general of Kerala Fire and Rescue Services.Agarwal appears to have lost the race owing to his long service at the BJP-ruled Centre whereas Gupta had taken a firm stand on corruption allegations against P.P. Divya, the CPI(M) leader facing the accusation of abetting the suicide by death of Kannur deputy collector Naveen Babu last year. Gupta—at the time director (vigilance)—had ordered a probe against Divya for alleged disproportionate assets.advertisementAsked what he made of the Vijayan government's choice, CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan Master matter-of-factly told INDIA TODAY: 'The Left government has selected the new DGP based on the list given by the UPSC.'CPI(M) sources said a section of party leaders, including a state committee member, had expressed reservations over Chandrasekhar's appointment. But party circles had played them down. Govindan Master too emphasised that controversies not be raised over the appointment.The government has issued a circular handing over the DGP's charge to additional DGP (law and order) H. Venkatesh till the time the new police chief takes over.How does the police fraternity see the appointment? 'I would rate Ravada Chandrasekhar as a very professional police officer. The controversies over the Kuthuparamba police firing case have nothing to do with his integrity. As assistant superintendent of police, he had assumed the post just two days before and rushed to the site when the situation turned violent. The government suspended him but the high court acquitted him of all charges. During his service, Chandrasekhar remained an outstanding officer,' said A. Hemachandran, a former Kerala DGP, in a conversation with INDIA TODAY.Chandrasekhar had met Vijayan on June 20 in Thiruvananthapuram in the run-up to his appointment. He will retire on July 31 next year, which means he will be the police chief in charge of law and order when the state goes to polls.advertisementAs for Agrawal, he too retires on July 31, 2026 while Gupta has a term till April 30, 2030. Gupta's name is being considered for a central posting, but the state government has not given him an integrity certificate. The certificate is issued by the state government to confirm that no vigilance case is pending against the officer—a mandatory recommendation for appointment to a senior post.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends
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