CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam 
Kerala

Viswam says CPI has no role in CMRL dealings, separates LDF politics from business

Binoy Viswam parried questions about the CMRL case involving Veena T saying LDF politics was separate from business and his party had no role in such dealings

Thiruvananthapuram | CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam on Thursday parried questions about the CMRL case involving Veena T, daughter of former Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, saying LDF politics was separate from business and his party had no role in such dealings.

Responding to reporters' queries on the issue, Viswam said the matter had nothing to do with the CPI.

"The CPI is not a party to any of it. The party has no role in such give-and-take and will never have one in the future. So, we have nothing to say about it. LDF politics is separate from business," he said.

The CPI is a close ally of the CPI(M) and a major constituent of the Left Democratic Front.

Asked whether the CPI considered the ED case against Veena to be politically motivated, as claimed by the CPI(M), Viswam said, "Politics is separate from business. CPI is not interested in it." In a statement on Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate said it had seized some "handwritten notes" during searches at Veena's premises in May, which contained details of certain fund transfers to Dubai.

The agency claimed that digital devices seized during the searches contained a photograph of a SIM card obtained in another person's name.

Veena purportedly used the SIM card to make internet-based calls, the ED had said.

The money laundering case relates to Keralam-based mining company CMRL and Exalogic Solutions, the now-defunct firm owned by Veena.

The probe concerns allegations that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited paid Rs 2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd without receiving any services in return.

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