THE Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly protested at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) headquarters in New Delhi, on May 27, against the raid conducted by the ED at the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan. The protest was led by CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby.
During the protest, Delhi Police detained the demonstrators. Those detained included senior leader Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau members Ashok Dhawale, Mariam Dhawale and Vijoo Krishnan, Central Committee members Vikram Singh, and Delhi State secretary Anurag Saxena. More than one hundred protesters were also detained. Similar protests were also organised in different parts of the country against the ED action and the alleged misuse of central agencies.
Addressing the gathering, M.A. Baby strongly condemned the action carried out by the ED under the direction of the central government and stated that the raid on Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence was a politically motivated act of vendetta. He pointed out that courts have repeatedly observed that Pinarayi Vijayan has absolutely no connection with the Exalogic case, yet the political witch-hunt against him continues unabated. He is now being targeted even for being Veena’s father.
He further stated that such an action taking place immediately after Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s meeting with the Prime Minister in Delhi raises serious questions and appears to be a politically orchestrated drama. Several individuals whose names reportedly appeared in the CMRL diary continue to hold important positions in the state government. However, while ignoring all of them, the continuous targeting of Pinarayi Vijayan further exposes the political vendetta behind these actions.
He said that the party has no intention whatsoever of obstructing any investigation process. However, the blatant misuse of central agencies by the central government for political targeting cannot be accepted. The party will mobilise people and organise strong protests across the country against the selective targeting of opposition leaders and the attacks on democratic rights.
