How ED Raids Against Vijayan Became CPI(M)’S First Statewide Rallying Point After Kerala Defeat

ED Raids Spark CPI(M) Rallying Cry Following Kerala Defeat

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently conducted extensive searches linked to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, targeting multiple locations including his homes in Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram, as well as properties associated with his daughter, Veena Vijayan, and her husband, former Tourism Minister PA Muhammad Riyas. The raids were executed after the Kerala High Court upheld an investigation into allegations of financial misconduct involving Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a defunct IT firm owned by Veena. Allegations suggest she received illicit payments totaling Rs 2.7 crore from CMRL, a claim she firmly denies.

These raids marked the CPI(M)'s first significant statewide protest since losing control of the Kerala Assembly to the Congress in the recent elections. The party seized on the ED's actions to counter Congress's accusations of a collusion between CPI(M) and the BJP. In April, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi publicly questioned the lack of ED action against Vijayan, suggesting a double standard in targeting opposition leaders. Vijayan responded, criticizing Gandhi's political insight.

As the searches unfolded, thousands of CPI(M) supporters gathered outside Vijayan’s residence in Kannur, leading to sit-ins that spread throughout the state. In Thiruvananthapuram, party state secretary MV Govindan condemned the raids as a politically charged assault on both Vijayan and the CPI(M). He asserted,

“There is no need to include Pinarayi Vijayan in this case. It’s just politically motivated. We will oppose this politically.”

Further protests erupted in the national capital, where CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby and other senior leaders, including Brinda Karat, were detained. Following the search operation, Vijayan addressed his supporters, stating that the ED had long sought to investigate him. He accused the Congress of only raising concerns when their leaders are implicated, insinuating that some may have reveled in the ED's actions against him.

“No one should be under the illusion that this search will weaken us,” Vijayan asserted. “What has been evident is the sentiment of our party comrades...that support has not declined.” In a parallel narrative, CPI(M) district secretary K. K. Ragesh claimed the ED's actions were part of a broader scheme by the BJP to undermine the Left Front, aided by Congress allegations of collusion between the two parties.

Reacting to the situation, Kerala's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala denied any prior knowledge of the raids, dismissing CPI(M) claims of Congress backing for the BJP's actions. He stated, “People know the truth, and they know what the Congress is, the BJP is and the CPI(M) is.” In contrast, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed solidarity with the CPI(M), calling the raids a revelation of Congress's unfounded allegations. “Who said Pinarayi Vijayan had not yet been targeted by the BJP?” he asked, highlighting the ongoing political tensions.