Kerala CM Breaks Silence On ED Action
VD Satheesan on Friday firmly rejected allegations made by the CPI(M) linking the Congress-led state government to recent Enforcement Directorate raids conducted at properties connected to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Responding to growing political controversy in Kerala, Satheesan clarified that the Enforcement Directorate functions independently under the Centre and insisted that the state government had no involvement in the operation.
“ED is a central agency. They have registered a case and raids were conducted as part of the investigation. What is the role of the state government in this?” Satheesan said while addressing reporters.
Raids Trigger Political Storm In Kerala
The controversy erupted after the Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at multiple premises linked to Pinarayi Vijayan, including his residence in Thiruvananthapuram, another property in Kannur and locations associated with his son-in-law and former minister Muhammad Riyas.
The searches are reportedly connected to an alleged money laundering investigation involving suspected financial transactions linked to a Kochi-based chemicals company and a firm owned by Vijayan’s daughter T Veena.
The timing of the raids sparked sharp reactions from CPI(M) leaders, especially because they took place shortly after Satheesan’s recent meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
‘Is This A Joke?’ Satheesan Hits Back
Dismissing suggestions that he influenced the raids, Satheesan strongly criticised the allegations and accused the CPI(M) of attempting to politicise the issue.
“I met the Prime Minister for the first time and now they are saying I asked him to raid the opposition leader’s house? Is this some joke? They should use common sense. People are watching everything,” he said.
Satheesan also clarified that the Kerala government had no prior information about the ED operation and that even the police were not informed in advance.
“The government had no information from the ED. They did not inform the police before the searches,” he added.
Congress Defends Its Stand On Investigation
Responding to CPI(M)’s criticism over Congress reacting differently in this case compared to ED action against Congress leaders in the past, Satheesan said the allegations against Vijayan involved a separate money laundering issue already raised earlier in the Kerala Assembly.
“We had already raised this issue on the Assembly floor. This case concerns alleged financial irregularities and money laundering. How are we expected to react?” he asked.
Pinarayi Vijayan Calls ED Action ‘Political Targeting’
Meanwhile, Pinarayi Vijayan accused the BJP-led central government of using investigative agencies to intimidate opposition leaders across the country.
“This is only the beginning. Nobody should believe that such actions can weaken or intimidate us,” Vijayan said.
The veteran CPI(M) leader further alleged that central agencies were being systematically used for political purposes since the BJP came to power at the Centre.
He also took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming some opposition figures had repeatedly questioned why no raids or arrests had taken place against him earlier.
