Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan described the ED raid at his residence as the beginning of a larger political conspiracy targeting him and CPM. The raid is linked to alleged financial dealings between Exalogic Solutions, owned by his daughter T Veena and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL).Speaking to media after ED officials completed the search at his rented house, Vijayan said the action would have gratified those who had long demanded his arrest, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “This is just a beginning and nobody should dream of weakening us through such actions,” he said, adding that the raid had been in the works for long and was part of the BJP-led Central govt’s targeted campaign against opposition leaders.Earlier, CPM state secretary M V Govindan told a press conference at AKG Centre that the raid was politically motivated and the party would fight it both politically and legally. Govindan said the ED’s real target was Vijayan, not his daughter, and that the allegations against Veena had no legal basis. He also pointed out that Vijayan had already denied any link between the abbreviated reference ‘PV’ in CMRL documents and himself. Govindan pointed out that two ministers in the UDF cabinet had admitted to receiving funds from CMRL, yet the raid was conducted only at Vijayan’s residence.CPM state secretariat later issued a statement condemning the raid, accusing the Union govt of weaponizing central agencies against political opponents. The statement drew a parallel with the action against Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi and noted that the raid came a day after chief minister V D Satheesan met PM Narendra Modi and Union ministers in Delhi.“Rahul Gandhi’s refrain during election rallies was: Why isn’t Pinarayi Vijayan being arrested by the ED? This action must be read in that context,” the statement said. The secretariat called upon people from all walks of life to resist what the assault on CPM, vowing that the party’s struggles against the Sangh Parivar would move forward with greater strength..
