Thiruvananthapuram: In a development that has triggered a political discussion, CPM leader and chief minister’s political secretary P Sasi, CM’s private secretary and former Kozhikode MLA A Pradeep Kumar and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s long-serving personal assistant and one of his closest confidants V M Suneesh have all been relieved of their official responsibilities. General administration department (GAD) issued orders accepting their requests to step down, marking an unusual set of departures at a politically sensitive juncture, with only weeks remaining for govt’s term to conclude.Sasi, known to be taking several crucial decisions especially regarding police, has been at the centre of controversies, particularly following serious allegations raised against him by former Nilambur MLA P V Anvar. Pradeep Kumar and Suneesh were also considered key figures in CM’s office, handling critical administrative and coordination roles.The decision was based on requests submitted by all three on March 17. Conventionally, members of a CM’s personal staff continue in their roles until completion of govt’s tenure. In this backdrop, the timing of these exits —just ahead of elections— has been viewed as out of the ordinary, prompting speculations across political and bureaucratic circles.Suneesh, over the years, came to be regarded as CM’s “shadow”, maintaining a constant presence alongside Vijayan in both official and informal settings. From high-level meetings to foreign visits, his role was seen as integral to the functioning of CM’s office. His sudden withdrawal has therefore come as a surprise.Questions are being raised about whether internal assessments or intelligence inputs about the electoral prospects of the ruling LDF may have played a role in the timing of the decision. There is also conjecture that the move could be part of a pre-emptive shift, with key individuals seeking to reposition themselves ahead of a possible change in govt.However, no official explanation has been provided so far. When contacted, a senior GAD official, speaking on conditions of anonymity, said that “such interpretations are largely speculative at this point, and there is no formal communication linking the decision to any political or electoral assessment”. Neither govt nor the individuals concerned have publicly elaborated on the reasons behind their requests to step down.
