Kerala BJP has accused the Congress and the CPI(M) of colluding to protect former Chief Minister and opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL corruption case. The allegation was made on Wednesday, questioning why the government led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is reluctant to defend the case filed by its own Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) in court.
Supreme Court’s Recent Order
State BJP president and MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar noted that the Supreme Court did not cancel the FIR nor did it halt the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation in the matter. He said CPI(M) cannot claim this as a major victory for Vijayan. The court has directed the Kerala High Court division bench to hear an appeal that was dismissed earlier this month, showing that the case is still active in the judiciary.
Chandrasekhar raised pointed questions about the motives behind the UDF government’s approach. “Why are V.D. Satheesan and the UDF government trying to shield Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL corruption case?” he asked. He further alleged a national-level conspiracy between Congress and CPI(M) aimed at safeguarding the former Chief Minister.
Political Silence and Contradictions
The BJP leader criticized the silence of Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League on this issue and emphasized the contradiction between Congress’s election speeches and its current stance. He recalled Rahul Gandhi’s campaign remark that Vijayan should be jailed, contrasting it with the party’s unwillingness to take a stand in court now.
Chandrasekhar termed this as part of Rahul Gandhi’s deceptive politics. He said the Supreme Court’s recent directive bolsters BJP’s claim that Congress, under instructions from its national leadership, is protecting Pinarayi Vijayan. This, he added, exposes the political gamesmanship surrounding the matter.
He further claimed that CPI(M) now depends on Congress’s goodwill, arguing that despite being political rivals in Kerala, the two parties are cooperating to safeguard each other’s interests. According to Chandrasekhar, Congress and CPI(M) have effectively merged, acting as a combined force rather than separate entities.
The controversy centers on ongoing legal proceedings concerning alleged financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, a company connected to Vijayan’s daughter, T. Vena. The BJP’s accusations come amid these investigations that spotlight potential corruption involving prominent political figures.
These developments indicate escalating tensions within Kerala’s political landscape, with BJP demanding accountability and transparency regarding the CMRL case, while opposition parties face scrutiny over their responses and actions in the ongoing saga.
