Pinarayi Vijayan Criticizes Congress for Narrow-Mindedness Amid ED Actions
Vijayan's Accusations Against Congress
On Friday, former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused Congress of having a narrow mindset regarding the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) actions against opposition leaders. He stated that the BJP only raises objections when its own members are targeted. During a press conference addressing the ED's searches at his residences, Vijayan remarked that since the BJP came to power at the center, it has adopted a harsh stance towards opposition parties.
ED's Partisan Use
The leader of the opposition in the state assembly claimed that the ED is being used in a biased manner against several opposition parties and their leaders. However, he noted that Congress only protests when actions are taken against its own members. When asked about the silence of Chief Minister VD Satheesan on this issue, Vijayan suggested that this question should be directed to the Kerala Chief Minister. He pointed out that Congress has consistently questioned why former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has not been arrested or charged, and celebrated when a case was finally registered against him.
Reactions from Other Leaders
Following the recent searches at his residences, Vijayan mentioned that former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Kejriwal condemned the ED's actions and criticized Congress's stance. He expressed disappointment that Congress's position remains unchanged despite these developments. Vijayan emphasized the need for unity against such actions by the BJP, criticizing Congress leadership for its narrow perspective.
Details on ED's Actions
Regarding the ED's actions, Vijayan revealed that the agency had closed an account belonging to his daughter, Veena T, without questioning her, despite her presence during the searches. He also commented on the violent attack on ED officials following the search at his rented home in the state capital, stating that CPI(M) leaders took measures to ensure that protests remained peaceful, which was evident to all. The ED's search was related to financial transactions between his daughter's company and a sand mining firm.