Government treads cautiously in CMRL monthly pay-off case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF, which had strongly attacked the Pinarayi Vijayan government over the CMRL monthly pay-off case while in the Opposition, appears to be cautious after coming to power. The government’s decision to order a Crime Branch SIT investigation against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Vijayan and former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas was taken after several rounds of consideration and based on legal advice. In a case involving alleged financial corruption, a Vigilance investigation should normally be ordered. The government has based its move on the reference in the Enforcement Directorate's letter to the DGP that the matter could be treated as a criminal case.

The government had acted more swiftly in announcing SIT investigations into incidents such as the alleged police assault, in the name of rescue operations, on several people, including present Alappuzha MLA A.D. Thomas during the previous LDF government, and the Messi controversy. However, there are questions over whether the same urgency is being shown in the monthly pay-off case.

There are reports that the names of some people from the present ruling front also appear in CMRL's monthly payment records. The company's Chief Financial Manager has also submitted an application to the ED seeking to withdraw his statement. Against this backdrop, the government is concerned that a more aggressive probe could eventually turn against it.

If the Vigilance conducts the investigation, an FIR would be registered, and the case would move forward. The Crime Branch investigation may not proceed at the same pace. The government can say that it has acted on the ED's letter while also maintaining that it has not simply yielded to the central agency.

CPM confident

The CPM is confident that the investigation will not have any major consequences. The expectation in some political circles that Pinarayi Vijayan could be weakened by the internal differences that emerged in the party following the election defeat has also not materialised. The state secretary has indicated that the party will stand firmly behind Pinarayi. M.V. Govindan said the party would face the investigation both politically and legally and would not allow its leaders to be subjected to what he described as political targeting. The government’s actual position will become clearer from the direction in which the investigation and subsequent action proceed.