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ED Raids Spark Statewide CPI(M) Mobilization Following Setback in Kerala
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently conducted extensive searches at several locations linked to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, including his residences in Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram, as well as properties associated with his daughter, Veena Vijayan. The raids also targeted the home of her husband, former Tourism Minister PA Muhammad Riyas, and an office tied to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL). These actions come in the wake of a Kerala High Court ruling that allowed the investigation into allegations of fraud involving CMRL and Veena's now-defunct IT firm, Exalogic Solutions. The case, which surfaced in 2019 after an Income Tax raid, claims that Veena's firm received illegal payments totaling Rs 2.7 crore from CMRL without providing any services, a charge she has firmly denied.
The timing of the ED’s actions has galvanized the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), sparking their first major protest since losing power to the Congress in last month’s Assembly elections. The party is leveraging the raids to counter Congress's assertions of a collusion between CPI(M) and BJP, aimed at undermining their political standing. During the campaign, Congress had repeatedly questioned why the ED had not pursued Vijayan while targeting leaders from opposition parties. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, specifically voiced these concerns at an event in Kerala in April, prompting a sharp retort from Vijayan, who criticized Gandhi's political insight.
As news of the searches broke, throngs of CPI(M) supporters began congregating outside Vijayan's home in Kannur, initiating a sit-in that quickly spread across the state. In Thiruvananthapuram, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan joined the protests, labeling the searches as a blatant attack on both Vijayan and the party. He emphasized that Vijayan should not be implicated merely because he is Veena's father, asserting, “There is no need to include Pinarayi Vijayan in this case. It’s just politically motivated. We will oppose this politically.”
The demonstrations extended beyond Kerala, with CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby leading protests in the national capital, where he and several senior party leaders were detained. Following the raids, Vijayan addressed his supporters, asserting that the ED has long had intentions to search his home and accused Congress of only expressing concern when their leaders are affected. He implied that some individuals might take pleasure from the raids, stating, “No one should be under the illusion that this search will weaken us.” He reaffirmed the unwavering support from party members, despite the challenges posed by the raids.
K. K. Ragesh, CPI(M) district secretary in Kannur, denounced the raids as part of a broader BJP strategy to undermine the Left Front, claiming that Congress was complicit in these efforts. He argued that the ED has consistently targeted opposition leaders, using Vijayan's family as leverage to weaken the party. Ramesh Chennithala, Congress leader and Kerala Home Minister, countered these claims, stating that the state police had no prior knowledge of the searches and rejected the notion of a Congress-BJP alliance in this context. In a show of solidarity, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his support for CPI(M), stating that the raids reveal the “hollowness” of Congress's allegations against them.
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