Asianet Kumbh controversy: Kerala BJP gunning for Rajeev Chandrasekhar? | Powertrip #92

In this week’s Powertrip, a political newsletter exclusively curated for TNM and NL subscribers by Dhanya Rajendran, Shabbir Ahmed, Pooja Prasanna and Nidheesh MK, we bring you details of how former Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar was at the receiving end of right-wing supporters and party colleagues. We also tell you who is in and who is out in the CPI(M)’s highest decision-making body in Kerala, and how DMK’s attempt to rope in more than one political strategy firm for the 2026 Assembly elections seems to have faced a setback..Inside TrackExclusive stories, for your eyes only.Why an Asianet show on Kumbh has discomfited Rajeev Chandrasekhar A program by Asianet News has landed BJP leader and major investor Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a political tight spot, drawing backlash from right-wing supporters and party colleagues in Kerala. It all started with Asianet’s March 1 ‘Cover Story’, where Executive Editor Sindhu Sooryakumar discussed Kerala’s shifting political landscape. In one of the segments, she pointed to growing Hindu sentiment in the CPI(M)-ruled state, citing increased Malayalee participation in Maha Kumbh. Though the segment mainly critiqued CPI(M), a clipped version went viral, with right-wing users accusing the channel of mocking the Kumbh Mela as Sindhu pointed out that people from the literate state were also going for the kumbh. By March 3, Rajeev, whose Jupiter Capital owns Asianet, took to social media, saying he had received messages from hurt devotees. He publicly stated that he had asked the channel’s leadership to avoid any inadvertent or intentional disrespect toward religious gatherings. Immediately, BJP state president K Surendran turned up the heat, accusing the channel and other Malayalam media of taking foreign funds and questioning why they scrutinized Kumbh numbers but not Haj pilgrimages. Surendran went on to say that such media must be having funds from USAID, George Soros and even Jihadis. Surendran’s comment is bewildering as he clearly knows Asianet is owned by Rajeev’s family through Jupiter Capital. While BJP leaders often criticize Asianet, and some even boycott the channel, Rajeev has largely kept his hands off editorial decisions. So why the public posturing? We’ve learned that Rajeev has been under pressure from his own party colleagues, some of whom aren’t exactly his biggest fans. This controversy gave them the perfect excuse to escalate complaints against him to BJP’s central leadership. Not just Surendran, most BJP leaders have slammed the channel.With a BJP leadership overhaul on the horizon, Kerala’s state unit may also see changes. K Surendran could either continue as state president or be replaced—and among the contenders for the post? Shobha Surendran, MT Ramesh, and yes, Rajeev Chandrasekhar himself. Rajeev’s rivals (or their supporters) may have seen the perfect chance to cut him down ahead of big changes. .CPI(M) State Secretariat: Who’s In, Who’s OutIn the grand game of musical chairs that is the CPI(M) state secretariat—the party’s highest decision-making body in the state—some heavyweights are about to be left standing as the reshuffle begins on Thursday.AK Balan, PK Sreemathy, and Anavoor Nagappan have hit the age ceiling (75), signaling their swan song. EP Jayarajan and TP Ramakrishnan are on the verge of turning 75, but the central committee has set January 1, 2025, as the cut-off date for age calculations—giving them a temporary reprieve.Now, who’s making their grand entrance? MB Rajesh is set to step into Balan’s shoes, ensuring Palakkad gets its due. As for Anavoor’s replacement, it’s a toss-up between TN Seema and Kadakampally Surendran, with Education Minister V Sivankutty waiting in the wings. However, with six ministers already in the secretariat, the party isn’t keen on turning it into a cabinet extension.Meanwhile, PK Sreemathy, who currently heads the Democratic Women’s Association, might receive a special exemption from the age limit. If she steps down, TN Seema and CS Sujatha are in the running, though Seema has the upper hand as Sujatha is already a central committee member.The most politically significant and dramatic entry will be from Kannur. P Sasi, the Chief Minister’s political secretary, who has been facing political and financial allegations, is the frontrunner for a secretariat berth. P Jayarajan, despite being a heavyweight, is unlikely to make the cut again.As some senior leaders exit, new faces are stepping in. Along with Balan, Sreemathy, and Anavoor, party seniors like Gopi Kottamurickal, CM Dinesh Mani, S Sharma, and K Chandran Pillai may also take their final bow. On the state committee front, Health Minister Veena George is a strong contender for induction. Also joining the committee are first-time district secretaries: KV Abdul Khader (Thrissur), VP Anil (Malappuram), K Rafeeq (Wayanad), M Mehboob (Kozhikode), and M Rajagopalan (Kasaragod).In a twist that could bring a famous Kerala political saga full circle, journalist-turned-politician MV Nikesh Kumar, son of the late MV Raghavan—who was expelled from the CPI(M) in 1986 and went on to shake the Left—is now poised to join the list..No Showtime for DMK? It has been a season in which all political strategists are heading to Tamil Nadu.A few weeks ago, we reported on how the DMK was keen on roping in the political strategy firms Showtime and I-PAC for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.Robin Sharma’s Showtime had agreed to work with DMK’s in-house strategy team, PEN, on the creative side.On the other hand, the DMK was also keen on bringing in I-PAC, led by Rishi Raj Singh. The deal was signed, and I-PAC has begun its work for the DMK.Now, we have learnt that only I-PAC will be working for the DMK, as Showtime is not keen on continuing the Tamil Nadu project. At the last town hall meeting in Hyderabad, Showtime’s Robin Sharma told around 150 employees that they would not be working in Tamil Nadu.Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor, who was in talks with the AIADMK, has moved his entire team to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and will be taking on an advisory role for actor Vijay’s first election. Sources say PK is also maintaining a cordial relationship with the AIADMK, and as the elections draw closer, he may play a key role in forging new alliances in Tamil Nadu..Former YSRCP leader Vijaisai Reddy plans for the futureVijaisai Reddy, former YSRCP leader, who quit the party recently was seen meeting Congress chief YS Sharmila. Given the animosity between Sharmila and her brother YS Jaganmohan Reddy, this move raised many eyebrows. But it also led to speculation over whether Vijaysai could join the Congress. We hear the resignation was just a distractionary tactic to what is being planned. In the last few months, Vijaisai, who was a Rajya Sabha MP had been going overboard praising the BJP, particularly PM Modi. Many thought it was the official YSRCP line but we have now learnt that Vijaisai was facing questions from the party leadership over his profuse praise. Vijaisai’s daughter V Neha Reddy is looking to contest elections from the Vishakhapatnam constituency and Vijaisai has been in talks with the BJP to make it happen. He has however not met with a great deal of success so far. So the meeting with Sharmila was a tactical move to reiterate that his relations with the YSRCP are finished. Because given the bad blood between Jagan and Sharmila, the meeting would indicate Vijaisai’s exit from Jagan's camp. .Zero HourA political story of public importance.Ugly Cricket Nationalism and Vile Fans Have Undermined the Sport in the Subcontinent.Shame on the BCCI denizens and their political masters for bringing the beautiful game to such a sorry pass..PowermovesTop 5 political stories1. ‘Union govt can't force decisions on states’: Kanimozhi to TNM on Hindi imposition row2. The long march to surrender: How Karnataka became ‘Naxal-free’3. ‘Election stunt’: Anger, confusion among Maharashtra women as Ladki Bahin payments falter4. Tamil Nadu’s Paddy Paradox: Cauvery delta turns on the taps even as wells run dry5. Court acquittal three years on is cold comfort for Muslim man rebuilding life after demolition

Asianet Kumbh controversy: Kerala BJP gunning for Rajeev Chandrasekhar? | Powertrip #92

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