Pinarayi Vijayan loses cool when asked about monthly payoff case

ALAPPUZHA: Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan became visibly annoyed to questions about the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s action in the monthly payoff case. The media surrounded him with questions when he arrived at the PWD rest house in Chengannur. Pinarayi, who got out of his car, did not respond to the media. Later, when journalists followed him inside, he asked, ‘Are you coming to the bathroom?’ Following this, his security personnel asked the journalists to leave.

ED’s letter says Pinarayi Vijayan, while serving as the chief minister, allegedly received Rs 3.28 crore as a bribe from the company CMRL through his daughter Veena. The ED had recommended to the state police chief that a case be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act against CPM politburo member and opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena, and son-in-law and former minister P A Mohammed Riyas.

The home department and the Director General of Police (DGP) have confirmed receiving ED’s letter in this regard. Although the reports had emerged, Pinarayi had not publicly responded to the matter so far. It was after this the media raised questions about it today. However, the opposition leader failed to respond.

Meantime, the letter says Veena helped Pinarayi Vijayan receive and divert the alleged bribe money. P A Mohammed Riyas MLA and member of the CPM state secretariat, allegedly played a role in receiving the bribe and transferring the money to Dubai. The letter says Riyas’ friends Shaijal Mohammed, P Nikhil, Hasan Waris, V P Faijas, and M Nandulal helped transfer the alleged bribe money abroad. The ED has recommended that these individuals also be investigated.