Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2026 : The CPI(M) in Kerala has decided to mount both a legal and political defence of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan following the Enforcement Directorate’s move seeking action that could pave the way for a corruption case against the veteran Left leader.
CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan said on Tuesday that the party would stand by Vijayan and fight the matter on both fronts. The development comes at a politically sensitive time for the party, which is preparing for an extended state committee meeting in Kozhikode beginning Saturday.
The three-day meeting is expected to focus on organisational weaknesses, recent electoral setbacks and corrective measures. However, the ED’s latest action against Vijayan is likely to add a major political dimension to the deliberations.
The central agency has submitted a report to the Director General of Police under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, seeking appropriate action under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The report reportedly details evidence gathered during its investigation into the alleged monthly payment case.
The ED has also sought action against Vijayan’s son-in-law and CPI(M) MLA P.A. Mohammed Riyas and his daughter Veena T. The agency’s recommendations could significantly widen the scope of the ongoing investigation.
The registration of an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act would allow further proceedings in connection with the alleged monthly payment transactions. According to the ED, Veena’s company Exalogic Solutions received Rs 2.78 crore from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) despite allegedly not providing services in return. The agency has taken the position that the transaction falls within the ambit of money laundering.
The immediate focus has now shifted to the Kerala government and the state police, which will have to decide how to respond to the ED’s recommendation. Any decision to register an FIR could put the state government in a politically difficult position, given Vijayan’s position as a senior CPI(M) leader and former Chief Minister.
State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the State Police Chief would first submit his views to the Home Secretary. The matter would subsequently be placed before the Home Minister, who would discuss it with the Chief Minister before a final decision is taken.
The ED’s move has already triggered a political response from Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N.K. Premachandran, who said the agency’s action was based on evidence and suggested that more allegations could emerge.
Premachandran described the development as an unusual situation for Left politics and urged the CPI(M) to clearly state its position on the allegations against Vijayan.
He also claimed that several of Vijayan’s earlier arguments had been weakened by the ED’s findings and alleged that the former Chief Minister had not adequately responded to the agency’s claims.
For the CPI(M), the timing of the development is particularly challenging. The extended state committee meeting was already expected to undertake a detailed review of the party’s organisational functioning and electoral performance.
The ED proceedings involving one of its most prominent leaders are now likely to dominate discussions, forcing the party to balance its internal course-correction exercise with a politically sensitive legal battle.
