BJP says Kerala HC order on FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan thwarts Congress attempts to ‘protect’ CPI(M) leader from prosecution

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive member P K Krishnadas on Friday said the Kerala High Court had blown the whistle on the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and Congress “nexus” in Keralam by ordering the registration of an FIR under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act against former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter, T. Veena, and son-in-law and former Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas in the CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case. 

Mr Krishnadas told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the High Court had “thwarted” the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s bid to soft-pedal the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) “damning report” against Mr Vijayan and his family, which was sent to the State Police Chief for registration of an anti-corruption case. 

“The Congress sought to save Mr Vijayan from prosecution by ordering a meandering preliminary inquiry. The High Court slammed the move and censured the SPC for failing to register an FIR against Mr Vijayan and his family. The court also put paid to CPI(M)’s attempts to save Mr Vijayan from prosecution by aligning itself with Congress’s agitation in New Delhi seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan should apologise to the people for the faux pas”, he said. 

Mr Krishnadas said the UDF’s handling of the ED’s demand for a criminal case against Mr Vijayan has yet again exposed the CPI(M)’s “symbiotic relationship” with the Congress in Keralam.