Thrissur (Keralam) | CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan on Friday alleged that a "Modi-ED-VD alliance" was targeting his party in Keralam and claimed there was no evidence against former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL case.
Modi-ED-VD refers to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan.
The Congress-led UDF government in Keralam on Tuesday ordered a police inquiry based on the ED's report seeking action against Leader of Opposition Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case.
CPI(M)'s allegation is that Prime Minister Modi and Satheesan are using the ED against the party.
Responding to reporters' queries on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations that Vijayan, his daughter Veena and son-in-law Riyas received money from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), as alleged by the ED, Govindan said there was no evidence to proceed with the investigation.
There were news reports that the SIT, after a preliminary inquiry, could not find sufficient evidence to proceed with the investigation against Vijayan and his family, he said.
"There is no evidence at all. Not even a fraction of evidence. Over a case that lacks even a shred of evidence, against Vijayan, the intention is to destroy the party in Keralam," he said.
Govindan alleged that PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously planned an ideological battle against the CPI(M) in Keralam.
"After the Tripura election, they publicly said that the next target was the Communist Party in Keralam. That is their target. Therefore, what they intend is a fierce attack against the party," he said.
He alleged that the ED was being used as a weapon against the CPI(M).
"Modi, ED, and VD -- this coalition is the main force attacking the CPI(M). Against this, a strong popular movement will emerge in Keralam," he said.
Govindan also levelled corruption allegations against the UDF government in Keralam.
"If they continue to proceed with taking freebies, as far as Keralam is concerned, it leads in a very, very dangerous direction. They are moving forward while committing corruption," he said.
He said Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji's use of a friend's private vehicle as an official car and Chief Minister V D Satheesan allegedly travelling on a sponsored chartered flight, along with KPCC president Sunny Joseph defending them, were clear signals of corruption.
Govindan alleged that Keralam is moving towards a dictatorial stance in which the chief minister's name cannot be mentioned or his photograph used for criticism.
"Just like Narendra Modi's full-scale assault against media freedom, here in Keralam, V D Satheesan is executing the same thing," he said.
On reports that former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman was under investigation in connection with the failed event featuring Argentine football star Lionel Messi, following the arrest of the event's sponsor, Govindan said the state government was using every weapon in its arsenal.
"Isn't an investigation already ongoing regarding the government-related issue? Let them investigate. We have no issue with any agency conducting the investigation," he said.
Regarding BJP state vice-president Shone George's allegation that UDF and LDF leaders received money from CMRL, Govindan asked whether any BJP leader's name had been revealed.
"As far as I am concerned, I haven't taken a single penny," he said.
