The attempt by the V.D. Satheesan government to protect Pinarayi Vijayan and family in the CMRL-pay off case by deliberately delaying police investigation has brought out the tacit “deal” between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress, P.K. Krishnadas, a member of the BJP’s national executive, has alleged.
Addressing mediapersons here on Monday (September 21, 2026), Mr. Krishnadas alleged that the “deal” was the handiwork of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby and Chief Minister Mr. Satheesan. He also argued that the said deal was mediated through the efforts of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
He claimed that the visit by Mr. Satheesan to meet Mr. Gandhi at New Delhi and the subsequent visit by senior CPI(M) leader A.K. Balan to meet Mr. Satheesan should be read together and is proof of the CPI(M) -Congress deal that the BJP has always been convinced about, Mr. Krishnadas claimed.
He said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had handed over all proof in the CMRL-pay off case against Mr. Vijayan to the government. Even though the Attorney General and Director General of Prosecution had given the legal opinion that a police case should be registered and investigation commenced immediately, the government was choosing to overlook this advice and slow down the investigation process by not registering the FIR against Mr. Vijayan.
By deliberately delaying the registration of FIR and creating an uncertainty, the government was giving an opportunity to Mr. Vijayan and family to intimidate witnesses to change their statements and to destroy proof, Mr. Krishnadas alleged.
“This is the “adjustment politics” that the Congress and the CPI(M) are playing as part of their deal. Just as the SNC Lavalin case against Pinarayi Vijayan was sabotaged by the then UPA government, a coalition where CPI(M) had considerable sway, the CMRL-pay off case is also going to be sabotaged. The BJP will lead a political and legal fight against this, “ Mr. Krishnadas said.
“The government, instead of registering an FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan, is trying to make do with a preliminary enquiry which is likely to be inconsequential. The BJP will go to the people and reveal the “deal” that the Congress and the CPI(M) have struck,” he added.
Sabarimala pilgrimage
Mr. Krishnadas also expressed anxiety that the preparations for the Sabarimala pilgrimage this season is going to be thrown into disarray because of the cold war between the Travancore Dewaswom Board and the government.
With just a few weeks before the pilgrimage season starts, there is no proper planning or arrangements done at Sabarimala to facilitate the pilgrimage and there is no coordination between the government departments which are expected to work together to facilitate a smooth pilgrimage, he alleged.
Already there is shortage of “aravana” and “appam” at Sabarimala, as the production has been affected.
He demanded that the government step in immediately and resolve the issues with TDB so that the Sabarimala pilgrimage is not affected.
Published – September 21, 2026 06:20 pm IST
