‘Step Down If You Have Shame’: Chandrasekhar Targets Pinarayi Vijayan Over ED Move

BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday asked CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan to step down as Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly following the Enforcement Directorate’s latest move in the CMRL-linked alleged bribery case.

In a Facebook post, Chandrasekhar referred to Vijayan’s stand in 2016, when the CPI(M) leader had demanded the resignation of then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy amid corruption allegations.

“Therefore, today I humbly ask Pinarayi Vijayan: if you have even a little shame left, you should step down as the Leader of Opposition of Kerala,” Chandrasekhar said.

He alleged that Vijayan had “compromised” and was no longer capable of effectively discharging his responsibilities as the Leader of Opposition.

The BJP leader’s remarks came a day after the ED wrote to the Kerala police chief seeking registration of an FIR against Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas and others in connection with the CMRL-linked case.

According to sources, the agency has sought the FIR based on evidence recovered during its investigation and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED has alleged that Kerala-based mining company Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) made fraudulent payments of ₹2.78 crore to Veena’s now-defunct firm, Exalogic Solutions, allegedly in the guise of IT consultancy services.

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

Riyas has said he and the CPI(M) would deal with the ED action, including searches at residences and business premises, politically and legally.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan accused the ED of targeting Riyas, while Vijayan has described the agency’s action as political vendetta.