Alappuzha, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : Pinarayi Vijayan, the former Chief Minister of Kerala and the current leader of the opposition, launched a strong attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday, labeling the agency’s allegations against him as shameful and unfounded.
This statement comes in response to the ED sending its investigation report and related documents to the state’s police chief on Tuesday, under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED is seeking to file a case against Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena, son-in-law, and former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, among others, under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other related laws.
In his first public reaction to the ED’s report, Vijayan asserted that the agency had failed to provide any solid evidence to support its accusations, suggesting that it operates under political directives. “It is shameful for an agency like the ED to make such baseless allegations. Their sole aim seems to be to accuse me without any substantial backing,” he stated.
Speaking at the inauguration of the CPI(M)’s Mannar Area Committee office, Vijayan remarked that political vendetta against him has been ongoing in Kerala for years, yet those trying to politically undermine him have not succeeded.
He dismissed allegations concerning his daughter Veena as ridiculous, explaining that she worked at Oracle after completing her education and later transitioned to a major foreign company before starting her own business. “She could have earned a high salary abroad, but she chose to establish her own venture,” he noted.
Vijayan also addressed previous claims that Veena’s company provided IT services to an institution allegedly run by religious extremists, warning accusers of potential consequences for their claims. He emphasized that all payments received by Veena from CMRL were fully documented through bank transactions, and all applicable taxes were paid.
He particularly objected to the ED’s assertion that Veena received money on his behalf, which was later sent abroad through her husband, Mohammed Riyas. “The most absurd part is that, according to the ED’s own findings, the payments Veena received were made years before her marriage to Riyas, who was not even her husband at that time,” he explained.
Vijayan criticized certain media outlets for sensationalizing the situation, noting that some reports claimed he accepted a bribe of 30 million rupees. “Will people believe anything just because it’s printed in large letters? The anger and hatred from the media cannot end my life. My life has always been an open book to the public,” he concluded.
AMT/DKP
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