Thiruvananthapuram, October 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Can former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emerge from a series of investigations with his political reputation intact, as Oommen Chandy did when the political tide turned against the Left in 2016? That question is gaining prominence in Kerala as Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan opens multiple fronts against the previous government.
In Kerala, a change of government is often accompanied by a shift in investigative priorities, with the new administration reviewing its predecessor’s decisions, revisiting allegations and promising accountability. However, such inquiries do not always translate into the political gains their proponents anticipate.
When Vijayan assumed office in May 2016, his government ordered a review of controversial decisions taken by the outgoing Oommen Chandy-led government from January that year.
The move raised expectations of significant revelations against the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). However, the scrutiny did not deliver the sweeping political gains anticipated by the Left, and several allegations failed to produce the decisive outcomes its leaders had expected.
Satheesan now faces a similar test, with investigations announced into the controversy surrounding the Messi event, alleged irregularities in Public Service Commission (PSC) appointments and a forthcoming inquiry into the functioning of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
The government has also suspended police officers, including an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), over alleged excesses against Youth Congress workers. The action signals that scrutiny will extend beyond financial and administrative decisions.
The proposed KIIFB inquiry could prove particularly significant. Satheesan has alleged that the institution operated beyond the normal controls of the state government and the Finance Department. The administration must now establish whether the reported irregularities warrant further action, rather than allowing the issue to remain a political allegation.
For Vijayan, however, the CMRL-Exalogic case involving his daughter, T. Veena, presents a more immediate challenge. The case originated with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), rather than the Satheesan government.
Following a directive from the High Court, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau registered cases naming Vijayan, Veena and former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas.
The ED has also summoned Vijayan for questioning on Friday, October 23, adding another dimension to the scrutiny surrounding the former Chief Minister.
All allegations remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings. The political irony is nevertheless evident: the government that once pledged to expose its predecessor must now demonstrate the credibility of its own inquiries, while the former Chief Minister faces scrutiny on multiple fronts.
For Satheesan, the challenge lies in producing credible findings that can withstand legal scrutiny. For Vijayan, it is to respond to the allegations and withstand the political consequences of the investigations.
Kerala’s history of political transitions illustrates that announcing an inquiry is only the beginning. Establishing wrongdoing through credible evidence and securing outcomes that stand up to legal scrutiny are more difficult tasks.
Whether Vijayan can avoid lasting political damage in a manner comparable to Chandy remains an open question.
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