BJP demands Pinarayi Vijayan’s resignation as Keralam’s Leader of Opposition

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 11 (PTI) Keralam BJP on Friday demanded the resignation of CPI(M) senior Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan as Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, citing the ED's latest move in the CMRL-linked alleged bribery case.

In a Facebook post, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the Opposition's role was to hold the V D Satheesan-led UDF government accountable and not defend allegations of corruption against its own leader.

"If the Opposition is led by a leader facing corruption allegations, what will be the subject of discussions in the Assembly? Will the daily discussions be reduced to justifying personal corruption," he asked.

Chandrasekhar, one of the three BJP MLAs in the Keralam Assembly, represents Nemom constituency in the House.

He said the BJP/NDA was also part of the Opposition and alleged that the allegations against Vijayan were paralysing the functioning of the entire Opposition.

"Our main duty over the next four-five years is to point out the mistakes of Chief Minister V D Satheesan and his government, question them responsibly and force the Congress-League government to fulfil the promises made to the people of Keralam," he said.

Chandrasekhar said Vijayan must quit the Leader of Opposition post to protect democratic institutions and fulfil his responsibility towards Keralam.

His remarks came days after the ED wrote to the Keralam police chief seeking registration of an FIR against former CM Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, son-in-law P A Mohammed Riyas and others in connection with the CMRL-linked case.

The ED sought registration of the FIR based on "evidence" recovered during its probe and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), sources said.

The agency has alleged that Keralam-based mining company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct firm Exalogic Solutions under the guise of IT consultancy services.

The ED searched premises linked to Veena in June and subsequently questioned her. In August, the agency said handwritten notes seized during the searches contained details of certain fund transfers to Dubai.

Riyas and the CPI(M) had said they would politically and legally deal with the ED case, including the searches conducted at their residences and the businesses of people linked to them.

Vijayan had termed the ED case against his daughter a political vendetta.

Meanwhile, BJP national secretary K Surendran on Friday alleged that the UDF government in Keralam was adopting a "soft approach" to the Enforcement Directorate's recommendation to register a case in the CMRL matter.

Speaking to reporters in Kozhikode, he said the information furnished by the ED warranted an investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act, but alleged that the state government was deliberately delaying action.

He further said there was a "hidden motive" behind the delay and said the government was trying to prolong the probe.

The BJP leader claimed that crores of rupees given by CMRL to a company linked to Veena was not payment for services rendered, but money received as bribe through abuse of power, causing loss to the state.

He further alleged that the money had been transferred abroad and questioned the government's decision to subject the ED recommendation to legal scrutiny.

Surendran also said that the government lacked the will to act and was "afraid of someone", claiming that it was concerned that a Vigilance probe could eventually reach UDF leaders.

"What is the delay in registering a case and conducting an investigation," he asked, alleging that both the LDF and UDF had a role in the matter.

However, senior CPI(M) leader and former minister K N Balagopal extended support to Vijayan and family and alleged that the Enforcement Directorate was pursuing a "political agenda" in Keralam and targeting political opponents.

Speaking to reporters here, Balagopal said that attempts had been made for a long time to personally target former Chief Minister Vijayan and said that the ED was being used to eliminate political rivals.

He said it had become clear that there was no substance in several of the cases being pursued by the agency and alleged that political leaders had been targeted using the ED in states, including Punjab.

He also accused the Congress of always joining hands with the central agency to create favourable conditions against political opponents.

Balagopal rejected allegations regarding a diary linked to Veena, saying it contained no secret document.

He further claimed that information had emerged that many statements with regard to the case were extracted under pressure.

The Congress had a practice of joining hands with the BJP to target the CPI(M), he alleged. PTI