'Every time an election approaches, central agencies suddenly become active'; V Sivankutty lashes out at ED

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister V Sivankutty said that the notice issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac in connection with the Masala Bond case was nothing more than a political drama ahead of the local body elections. He added that the ED had already lost its legal battle with former minister Thomas Isaac on the matter.

“It is surprising that the ED has only now realised that the Chief Minister is the chairman of KIIFB. Whenever attempts were made to obstruct Kerala’s development, we have countered them legally and politically. Every time an election approaches, central agencies suddenly become active. This is a familiar script,” Sivankutty said.

The minister alleged that the ED has turned into a political tool for the central government, "The ED turning into the central government's political tool is not at all healthy for democracy. With the local body elections around the corner, the Centre is trying to create confusion and target the LDF government. The political motives of the ED are clear,” he said.

Sivankutty further stated that any attempt to weaken KIIFB, the backbone of Kerala’s development, would be strongly resisted with public support. "The Left Democratic Front is prepared to challenge such actions both legally and politically. Communists in Kerala will not bow before such threats from the Centre,” he added.