Kannur(Keralam), Sep 14 (PTI) Two UDF-backed independent MLAs in Keralam have taken differing positions on the ED’s move against CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan, with one calling it a “politically motivated attempt” to create a rift within the INDIA bloc and another saying the agency’s action cannot be dismissed as political, even while acknowledging its past use for political ends.
T K Govindan, the independent MLA from Taliparamba, said the ED move seeking an FIR by the Keralam government against Vijayan and others under the anti-graft law is a “strategy” to create a rift between members of the INDIA bloc.
Terming the ED move as “politically motivated”, Govindan, a former CPI(M) leader, claimed that it shows the “ill intention” of the BJP.
On the other hand, V Kunhikrishnan, also a former CPI(M) leader who won in the assembly polls as an independent with UDF support, was of the view that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) action was not politically motivated.
At the same time, he said that ED has intervened in various matters with political intentions.
“We have seen action being initiated against opposition party leaders and the same being stopped or scrapped after they join the BJP. Therefore, politically motivated action has been taken by the ED several times,” he contended.
Meanwhile, state Health and Devaswoms Minister K Muraleedharan said that since Govindan had been with the CPI(M), he has not changed his stand.
“We have the same stand with regard to the ED. We have not welcomed the case. So there is no need to turn T K Govindan’s remarks into a controversy. We all have the same stand with regard to ED,” he told reporters.
Kunhikrishnan, the MLA from Payyanur, told reporters that if the CPI(M) wants people to believe the action against Vijayan is politically motivated, they need to give the necessary clarification that convinces the public.
“Till such clarification comes, it will be difficult to accept their criticism of the ED move against Vijayan,” he said.
Regarding CPI(M) claims that the ED move was also against the party, Kunhikrishnan said if the organisation has any role in the matter, it will also face the action.
The ED has urged the Keralam government to register FIRs against Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband P A Mohamed Riyas under the anti-graft law in connection with the alleged CMRL bribery case.
The Payyanur MLA said he cannot understand why allegations and criticisms against Vijayan and his family were being projected as an attack on the party by its leadership.
Regarding the CPI silence on the matter, Kunhikrishnan said it was probably because the issue has not been discussed within the LDF by the CPI(M).
“CPI(M) needs to convince members of the front if it wants them to support it,” he said.
Earlier in the day, apparently referring to certain UDF leaders’ stand on the ED move, Govindan — the independent MLA from Taliparamba — said it was not right to welcome the agency’s action against Vijayan while criticising similar action by it against others.
He said that the ED’s moves were “completely politically motivated” as it was controlled by the Centre and functioned as its “tool”.
“Let them investigate if Vijayan’s daughter Veena T made money through wrong means. But there is a method to carrying out the probe.” “If they carry it out with the aim to catch Vijayan, then the agency is losing its credibility,” he contended while speaking to a TV channel.
With regard to the ED letter to the State Police Chief to register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Vijayan, Veena and her husband P A Mohamed Riyas, Govindan termed it a “strategy” of the agency.
He claimed that the ED can register a case on its own and questioned why it wanted the state government to do so.
“It is aimed at creating a rift between two members of the INDIA bloc. It shows the BJP’s ill intention,” he alleged.
The difference of opinion between the two MLAs comes amidst BJP’s allegations that there was an attempt to sabotage the CMRL case.
The allegation was made by BJP’s parliamentary party leader in the assembly, B B Gopakumar, in reference to the recent meeting of CPI(M) leader A K Balan, a close confidant of Vijayan, with Chief Minister V D Satheesan.
The ED has sent a letter to DGP Ravada A Chandrasekhar seeking registration of an FIR against Vijayan, Veena, Riyas and some others in connection with an alleged CMRL bribery case on the basis of “evidence” gathered during its probe and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED has alleged that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Veena’s now-defunct company, Exalogic Solutions, under the guise of “IT consultancy services”.
The federal agency had searched premises linked to Veena, who was living with Vijayan at a rented accommodation in Thiruvananthapuram, in June and subsequently questioned her. PTI HMP ROH
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