Thiruvananthapuram, May 27: The General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), M.A. Baby, sharply criticized the central government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party on Wednesday. This condemnation follows the Enforcement Directorate’s raids connected to the CMRL-Exalogic case involving former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Baby described the raids as a “heinous crime” against Vijayan and accused the central government of using investigative agencies to politically target the CPI(M) and its prominent leader in Kerala.
He stated, “The basis for this raid is said to be a Kerala High Court order allowing the Enforcement Directorate to continue its investigation. However, Veena Vijayan has consistently cooperated with the investigation and has appeared before officials when summoned.”
The Enforcement Directorate initiated simultaneous raids at Vijayan’s residences in Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, as well as at the home of former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas in Kozhikode, and other locations linked to Kochin Minerals and Rutile Limited, starting at 6 AM on Wednesday.
Mohammed Riyas is Veena Vijayan’s husband and a CPI(M) legislator from Beypore.
This case pertains to allegations that Veena Vijayan’s IT company, Exalogic, received payments from CMRL for services that were reportedly never rendered.
However, Baby refrained from commenting extensively on the legal aspects of the case, saying, “I do not wish to delve into the merits of the CMRL case. The company has already clarified its position.”
He referenced the Emergency period, noting that Pinarayi Vijayan has faced political harassment before. Baby remarked, “Pinarayi Vijayan was also harassed during the Emergency. Now, the Modi government is repeating the same tactics.”
He further accused the Congress party of colluding with the BJP to target Vijayan.
Following the Enforcement Directorate’s actions, CPI(M) workers expressed their anger, leading to protests in Kannur and Kozhikode. Activists chanted slogans against the central government and the Enforcement Directorate.
Senior party leaders convened an emergency meeting, indicating that protests could spread across Kerala throughout the day.
Meanwhile, security for BJP leader Shawn George has been heightened due to his significant role in advancing the investigation into the Veena Vijayan case.
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