ED targeting Pinarayi Vijayan, Mohammed Riyas through monthly payment case: MV Govindan

KOZHIKODE: The Enforcement Directorate is targeting Pinarayi Vijayan and Mohammed Riyas through the monthly payment case, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said. He alleged that the persecution after the elections is worse than what was witnessed during the Emergency. He also warned the ED and the media against thinking that the CPI(M) could be intimidated. Govindan was speaking at an explanatory meeting organised by the CPI(M) against the backdrop of the ED raids in connection with the monthly payment case.

The state secretary alleged that the media were looking for anything that could be used against the party. The CPI(M) did not grow under the protection of the media, he said. The media had surrendered to capitalist forces, he added. “The ED is not conducting an investigation. It sets a political target first and investigates later,” Govindan alleged. He also claimed that there were no cases against BJP leaders and that 95 per cent of the cases were against the Opposition.

Govindan termed it strange that the ED was issuing press releases on matters related to its investigation. He claimed that the agency had not found anything so far and said the ED had itself stated in writing that nothing was recovered during the raid. The state secretary alleged that the ED had fabricated the hawala allegation. He said the company concerned would deal with it. The CPI(M) had nothing to do with it, he added.

Govindan said the party would face the matter if its leaders were targeted. He said the CPI(M) had no objection if the case involving Veena was dealt with legally. However, he alleged that the ED and the media were not viewing the matter in that manner. He claimed that there was an attempt to take the case to Pinarayi Vijayan. The CPI(M) was opposing that political move, he said.

Govindan alleged that the ED was trying to weaken the CPI(M) and bring people into the BJP. He said that was why the agency was targeting party leaders. The CPI(M) would not surrender to such attempts, Govindan said.