Kerala CM alleges collusion between BJP and Congress in ED investigation

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday alleged that the Enforcement Directorate's investigation into the CMRL-Exalogic payoff case reveals a 'shared political agenda' between the BJP and Congress to target communist parties.

Vijayan pointed out that non-BJP parties, including the Congress, have repeatedly accused the ED of functioning as an instrument of the Central government to intimidate and pressure political opponents. He cited the cases against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as examples of the ED's alleged partisan approach.

However, the Chief Minister contended that Congress leaders in Kerala have appeared to enthusiastically support the ED's attempts to investigate CPI(M) figures, suggesting a departure from the party's national stance on the investigative agency. This contradiction, Vijayan implied, demonstrated opportunistic coordination between the two parties against communist-ruled states.

The remarks come as the ED continues its investigation into alleged irregularities in contracts involving the Chennai Metro Rail Limited and software firm Exalogic. The agency's scrutiny of CPI(M) leaders has intensified political tensions in Kerala, with different parties offering conflicting assessments of the ED's actions.