State govt has no role in raids at Pinarayi’s: VD Satheesan

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Friday defended his delayed response to the Enforcement Directorate raids linked to former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter Veena Vijayan, saying he would decide when to react and could not comment without studying the matter in detail. He said the searches were part of a case registered by a central agency and insisted the Kerala government had no role in the operation. Satheesan claimed the state police intervened only to prevent a breakdown of law and order after large crowds gathered near Vijayan’s residence during the raids.

He further said the Opposition itself had earlier complained against lapses in the ED investigation, alleging the agency had failed to act for nearly four years in the controversial case. Satheesan accused the CPI(M) of attempting to falsely project that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the raids based on his statements. He also alleged that Vijayan targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi instead of directly criticising the BJP, Modi or the Union government after the ED action. Satheesan maintained that police had not failed in handling the violence and said officers attempted to control the situation peacefully.

The ED raids were conducted in connection with the alleged CMRL-Exalogic financial dealings involving Veena Vijayan’s firm, Exalogic Solutions. Searches were carried out at multiple premises linked to Pinarayi Vijayan, PA Mohammed Riyas and CMRL officials after the Kerala High Court rejected pleas challenging the probe. Violent clashes erupted outside Vijayan’s Thiruvananthapuram residence as CPI(M) workers allegedly attacked ED vehicles, vandalised cars, assaulted officials and security personnel, and blocked officers from leaving. Police later booked over 300 people, arrested several CPI(M) workers and registered cases, including charges related to violent obstruction and attacks on officials.