Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 18 (PTI) CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan on Friday alleged that the ED is targeting his party by raising allegations against Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL case, and questioned why there is no probe against UDF ministers Ramesh Chennithala and PK Kunhalikutty.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently sent a letter to state DGP Ravada A Chandrasekhar seeking registration of an FIR against former Chief Minister Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and son-in-law PA Mohammed Riyas and some others in connection with the alleged CMRL bribery case, based on “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”.
In a press conference here, Govindan said the ED’s current agenda is to make intense efforts to implicate Vijayan in the case.
“We are not saying that this is a stance taken specifically against Vijayan. Instead, it is an attack on the party itself, using Comrade Vijayan’s name. This is being orchestrated by the RSS and its aligned groups, directly aimed against the party. For them, individuals are not the target; the party is the target,” he alleged.
Govindan said the ED’s intention is to destroy the Left and that its objective is to bring Keralam itself under its control.
“To be honest, these positions are being adopted as part of the effort to destroy the Left Democratic Front in Keralam,” he said.
Govindan said money received by Exalogic was solely on the basis of a service exchange between companies.
“All those transactions were completed legally through banks, paying income tax accurately,” he said.
He alleged that the pages of a book said to have been recovered from CMRL show that money was given to several people.
“Not only are Chennithala and Kunhalikutty among those named, but they have also explicitly admitted to having received the money,” he claimed.
“In contrast to the money received legally, after paying proper taxes and as part of a proper contract, the money received by Chennithala, Kunhalikutty, and certain media outlets was clearly not legal,” he alleged.
Govindan also referred to recent news reports about an affidavit filed by CMRL managing director Sasidharan Kartha to the ED, in which he stated that his fingerprints were forcibly taken on three documents by its officials during interrogation.
Govindan said two CMRL officials have also come forward, alleging that they were threatened into giving statements.
“Forcing people through threats regarding non-existent matters is the ED’s method,” he said.
“It is based on these facts that we said from the very beginning that since this is politically motivated, it will be faced politically. Second, this needs to be opposed legally by adopting the right approach. Therefore, we have decided that an intense campaign must be organised as part of democratic processes,” he said.
Govindan also said the CPI(M) condemns the raid conducted at the Reporter Broadcasting Company office by the Special Investigation Team probing the failed event involving a proposed football match featuring the Argentina national team.
He alleged that the raid has affected the news channel’s functioning and said the party strongly condemns such acts. PTI TBA TBA KH
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