Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Satheesan Explains Decision to Skip Chenthi Programme
V D Satheesan was invited to a religious programme in Chenthi.
He said local party workers warned him that one organiser, Anil Kumar, had a criminal background.
Satheesan also said he received a police report and decided not to attend.
While travelling to another event, he stopped briefly when workers asked him to offer flowers.
He said Anil then spoke to him improperly, so he left to avoid a bigger dispute.
Police later arrested Anil for allegedly blocking Satheesan’s convoy.
Congress removed Anil from the party and started disciplinary action.
Police said Anil was listed on a local rowdy history sheet and had six criminal cases.
A court granted him bail, after which Anil apologised to Satheesan.
V D Satheesan said he cancelled his appearance at a Sree Narayana Jayanti programme in Chenthi after learning about organiser Anil Kumar’s alleged criminal background.
Satheesan said he later received a police report and decided not to attend the event.
He said he briefly stopped near Chenthi to offer floral tributes but left after Anil allegedly spoke to him improperly.
Police arrested Anil for allegedly blocking Satheesan’s convoy, while Congress removed him from the party and began disciplinary action.
A local court granted Anil bail, and he later apologised to Satheesan for his remarks.
- Who
- V D Satheesan and Anil Kumar, also known as Chenthi Ani, were central to the dispute.
- What
- Satheesan explained why he skipped a Sree Narayana Jayanti programme after an alleged convoy-blocking incident involving Anil.
- When
- The programme was cancelled two weeks before Satheesan’s Wednesday statement; Anil was arrested the previous week.
- Where
- The events occurred in and around Chenthi and Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Why
- Satheesan said he acted after being warned about the organiser’s alleged criminal background and receiving a police report.
Satheesan’s Account
Anil’s Response
Why the programme was skipped
Satheesan’s Account
Satheesan said he cancelled his participation after workers warned him about Anil’s alleged criminal background and after he received a police report.
Anil’s Response
Anil did not dispute the incident in his later statement, but said he had not expected the matter to escalate.
What happened at the roadside
Satheesan’s Account
Satheesan said nobody stopped him, that he got out to offer floral tributes, and that he left after Anil spoke improperly.
Anil’s Response
Anil said he made inappropriate remarks in the heat of the moment and regretted them.
Accountability
Satheesan’s Account
Police registered a case, arrested Anil, and Congress removed him while beginning disciplinary action.
Anil’s Response
Anil apologised to Satheesan and said he would personally apologise if given the opportunity.
- Programme
- Sree Narayana Jayanti programme at Chenthi
- Politician
- V D Satheesan
- Organiser
- Anil Kumar, also known as Chenthi Ani
- Police action
- Anil was arrested for allegedly blocking Satheesan’s official convoy
- Criminal record cited
- Police said Anil was listed in the Sreekaryam police station’s Rowdy History Sheet and had six registered criminal cases
- Party action
- Congress removed Anil from the party and initiated disciplinary action
- Court action
- A local court granted Anil bail on Wednesday