Exalogic ED case: BJP accuses UDF, LDF of colluding to protect Pinarayi Vijayan

Kozhikode: BJP national secretary K. Surendran on Friday alleged that the ruling UDF and LDF were colluding in the Exalogic case involving former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family members. 

Surendran alleged that the UDF government was deliberately delaying action despite the Enforcement Directorate officially forwarding its investigation findings to the State Police Chief and seeking registration of a case, IANS reported.

“The government is treating the ED communication with a light touch and adopting delaying tactics,” said Surendran.

He alleged that the ED had handed over details of its investigation to the police, but the state government had yet to take a decision on registering a case.

According to Surendran, the matter involved not merely allegations of hawala transactions and corruption but also abuse of official power.

He said the ED had forwarded the information to the state government because the allegations came within the purview of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Surendran also alleged that the payments made by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) were not payments for services provided by Veena T.’s company, but bribes allegedly paid in connection with the illegal transportation of mineral sand.

“CMRL itself has admitted that it paid money to politicians and officials,” he claimed.

He accused the state Home Minister of evading the issue instead of ordering the registration of a case.

Surendran questioned the silence of the Congress leadership, recalling that Rahul Gandhi had, during the Lok Sabha election campaign, asked why Pinarayi Vijayan had not been arrested.

The then Leader of Opposition and present Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan had also been raising the same question for five years, he said.

“But now none of them is saying anything,” Surendran alleged.

He claimed that the state government lacked the political will to pursue the case because several UDF leaders could also face trouble if the investigation proceeded.

Surendran demanded that CM Satheesan explain his position to the people.

“Satheesan says one thing and does another,” the BJP leader alleged.

He further claimed that IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty would soon come out in support of Pinarayi Vijayan.

“Several cases have been settled in this manner. Political cases are brushed under the carpet in Kerala,” Surendran alleged.

He said the alleged understanding between the two fronts showed that the state government was reluctant to allow the Exalogic investigation to move forward.